Reviews

Not Just a Cute School Drama

I went in expecting a cute school drama, but got so much more. When We Were Young is a coming of age drama that follows a group of five friends through their last year of high school. Together, they share many experiences, both positive and negative. The show is set in the late 1990s. This, despite growing up across the world, resonated with me. The show does an excellent job at portraying adolescence and issues teenagers go through. While watching, I was reminded of the antics I used to get up to as a teen. It was both nostalgic and, to be honest, a bit embarrassing. But fun nonetheless.

There were scenes that were so funny I cried tears of laughter. These were so much fun. However, there were also scenes with serious undertones which tackled more profound issues, like taking care of an elderly family member. I was invested in both equally. Some of the characters were annoying, but I focused on the main ones and their stories. The acting was really good, the story was good, accompanied by excellent cinematography, and the ending was realistically bittersweet, evoking a feeling of nostalgia and unfinished business. And I wouldn’t change it for anything, even if it left me contemplating my life and my own choices as a teenager. As a bonus, Neo Hou sings two OST tracks for the show which fit really well with the theme and further drives home the feeling of nostalgia. I hope these friends find their way to each other unlike many of us.

Thank you to dusty for being my drama partner and Ari for keeping us company. You made the experience that much more enriching and enjoyable.

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In Response To Negative Comments...

I've been seeing a lot of negative comments about this show saying that it's americanized etc. so I wanted to write a review in response to this.

I disagree that this kdrama is trying to be more Americanized. I genuinely like that they tried to make something more suited for adult viewers with the dark themes, intricate plot, and some nudity. It's refreshing to see such an amazing cast take on a much more daring role and it really shows how talented they are.

I will say that the plot was a bit confusing at points. The jumps between present day, the past, and the future were done well for the most part but there were times where I wasn't sure where we were. Another negative is that I hate when shows split the main couple up after they've been through a lot because they need to "heal". I personally think it's a bad choice and unnecessary.

I will also say that the show could have used a bit more depth on the relationships between the characters, there was limited dialogue when the leads were on screen together and instead we just see them trauma dumping all the time. Maybe if the show had been slightly longer to accommodate some more character building, I would have liked this aspect more. Or even if they just got rid of the friend's plot line - this felt so unnecessary... like okay she doesn't want to just be a mom, she wants to work blah blah blah but like where did this story actually go? What was the point? They either needed to develop this WAYYYY more or take it out IMO. I wanted to see his ex-wife's downfall, I wanted to see the leads accepting this new love, I wanted to see more healing in the characters... What I really mean to say by all this is that I think this show could have been a solid 10/10 if they had a more solid focus on the emotional/psychological themes rather than throwing in some of the other side plots.

Onto the positives - I really like the relationship between the leads. Their chemistry was amazing and I felt compelled by their stories. It was heartbreaking at times too when you see how unsure the leads are about what love is meant to feel like and how they should be treated by their loved ones. I like to crochet whilst I watch kdramas and this was a show where I would just constantly stop and just watch because I was so hooked on what was happening. I know my paragraph on the negatives is so much longer but that's just because there were a few key positives that really make this entire show so worth watching.

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Didnt like at all.

I don't know if I'm the only one, but I found this show so weird. It's such a messy storyline, too. It's definitely a different and out-of-the-box drama. I didn't like it. I had a problem with almost every character and plotline; it just wasn't for me. I found the ending funny; if you're a cheater, you'll be lonely for the rest of your life lmao. BUT I also had a problem with the ending, the daughter?!?!?!!! That's crazy?!?!?? (Unless I misread the situation). Anyway, I always finish a show if I start it, so that's why I finished this one. Otherwise, I would've dropped it. I'd say it's not worth watching at all unless you like unlikeable main characters and dumb storylines. Personally, a waste of time.

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"Prettyboy" é um dorama encantador que combina comédia e romance de maneira cativante. A série é repleta de momentos divertidos e apresenta uma proposta interessante com seus dois finais, permitindo que os espectadores escolham a conclusão que mais ressoa com eles. Os personagens são bem construídos, e Qingcai se destaca como o meu favorito, graças ao seu humor e charme irresistíveis. A química entre ele e Gan pu é excelente, tornando suas interações um dos pontos altos do drama. Além disso, a amizade de Qingcai com Wang Yi Shao traz momentos hilários, enquanto a paixão de Hong Hui por Qingcai adiciona um toque romântico à trama.

As habilidades de atuação de Darren Chen estão em constante evolução, enriquecendo a profundidade emocional da série. Em resumo, "Pretty" é uma recomendação imperdível para quem procura uma comédia romântica leve e divertida, perfeita para assistir e formar suas próprias opiniões!

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Beautiful set up of the main leads story, but ending execution is disappointing.

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75 (rounding up to show support)

Watching “Blue Canvas of Youthful Days” is to show my support for uncensored Chinese BL, even though I knew this drama is not perfect. Hopefully, the success of this show will encourage more uncensored Chinese BLs to be picked up by other countries to be distributed. Also, what a lovely drama title!

I agree with many reviews and comments that the first half of the drama is great. I enjoy the set up of how the leads met and their school interaction. Was it a little stalkerish on Qi Lu’s part to be clinging on to Qin Xiao? Probably. But I also applaud his courage to do so, knowing the consequence of when his father finds out what he’s up to. The growing friendship and affection between the two are developed nicely and convincingly. Xiao’s desire of having his own family is strong, but not enough to withstand his love for Qi Lu. However, we do have two young adults who are still quite innocent about first love. The ending would be different if they had talked to each other and figured things out together. But well, they were young.

I was not as invested in the secondary couple, possibly due to the age gap. Tan Yin just acts too young and naive compared to Liu Ming Yang’s maturity and as a teacher to our main leads. But I can see why Tan Yin would fall for Teacher Liu, and how Liu would eventually fall for Tan Yin. I just enjoy the dynamics between the main couple more. I also personally don’t like the blonde hair (LOL) and find Xiao Zi Zhou’s portrayal of Tan Yin to be the weakest of the cast (though not horrible).

Speaking of acting, I generally enjoy it. I was surprised to find out that this is everyone’s debut project. If that’s really the case, their acting is quite good. I especially enjoy Zhang Xuan Yu’s performance as Qin Xiao (I also find him to be the most attractive one 🙂). I also enjoy all the scenes related to art and the art school. We actually see students painting/drawing and not just pretending to be students.

Unfortunately, there are still quite a few things for me to pick on. The second half is definitely not as strong. Tan Yin’s hearing loss and the ease of him speaking fluently in just a few minutes is unrealistic. The last couple episodes are jam packed with different plotlines. Everything crashes down on our main leads in a matter of minutes. I was disappointed in the ending. The drama wasted a lot of time in showing Tan Yin and Liu Ming Yang’s happy moments, and failed to show the audience Qin Lu and Qin Xiao’s story. I want to know the ‘HOW’ and not just the ending result. Because of the somewhat blurry filter used in the last episode, I was wondering if that’s really the ending or was it one of those dream-like endings that happened in an alternate universe.

I did have a decent time watching “Blue Canvas of Youthful Days”, and especially in the earlier episodes of the main leads. Their story and acting are both good. If you have time to kill and want to support this drama, it’s worth checking it out. I watched the YouTube consolidated version and binged it all in 5.5 hours. The drama could have been better with editing and storytelling in the end, but that could have been a result of censorship.


Completed: 12/7/2024 - Review #525

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Emotional and lovely

The drama has so many mixed reviews about it, and I belong to the one that likes it, actually I'm probably against all the negative points mentioned about it.

First acting is amazing, Toma's appearance with how little it was, he still shines as the goofy, hopeless romantic and nice BF/Friend.
Also I'm a HUGE Arimura Kasumi fan, and I loved her role and everything about it, kentaro too was great.

The story itself is very predictable, it plays in that gray area about the whole two souls inside one body, and what's considered cheating or just go what your heart's desire.

Now, I really love Saeko, and I believe I'd literally do the same thing she did, on the other hand, I didn't respect Mike's at all, and I don't believe her love that much, she was selfish and arrogant, selfish when she didn't care about her husband's heart and how it changes him, I believe the most frightened person should be Naruse, the one who is confused about how he feels and need emotional support and help, and arrogant when she boldly confronted Saeko, and at the end when she told her about his heart condition.

I may be evil for liking how this end, if Saeko lost her lover, so does Miki, now she would understand how it feels to lose the love of your life.
I may be a little harsh, and I genuinely liked how they ended on good terms, but she just played victim the whole time while the only person who gained something from this whole situation, her lover is safe and healthy - up till the end at least- while Saeko lost hers, and Naruse got identity crisis.

Overall I loved how it ended, I just hated how Miki behaved and I know everyone is commenting about the cheating but seriously, what did you expect from a heart transplant story where the person gain memories from the hearts and meet the lover of the donor. It obviously says between the line that we will have a dilemma of falling for two people, yet, I believe the whole cheating part was just confusion, not real feelings.

That been said, it's a very interesting drama, you can easily binge it without a moment of boredom.

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THIS WAS LITERALLY A GEM?

I was NOT expecting this.... I legit thought it was going to be like one of those boring new BLs and I was really hesitant especially cuz it's new ...but I liked the series cover it looked interesting then I went and saw some clips of the kiss ...and when I saw that it was in episode 9 i was like DAMNN!! i have to wait that long?? This series must not be that good.

Oh boy was I wrong.


From the acting to their chemistry...to the story, plot the comedy this series was literally soooo well done. The comedic scenes were in their perfect place and was so natural and actually really freaking funny.. like legit laughing out loud!! I cried many times because of J&J relationship. Their story did not feel forced or rushed...it was told absolutely in a perfect and beautiful way befitting their characters.

Let's not even talk about how handsome they both are..and that sexy scene AHHHH!!!

All of the characters were amazing (boss sister nang, rose, grandma - her words always made me tear up-) especially their friends group!! I immediately went on and followed all of them on Instagram and watched clips because I was really invested and interest to know WHO they were and how comes I've never seen ANY of them ANYWHERE

Absolutely 100% recommend this..Thank you to everyone who loved this series and if by some crazy miracle the staff, actors or makers see this review then thank you very much for creating such a beautiful series🙏

To those who didn't like it...what's wrong with you?😭

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Funny and Sweet

As an office romance based on a Josei Manga that got REALLY spicy, I approve how they tackled the NC scenes. It was comedic and gave fun and playful in a way that wasn't making fun of but having fun with. it was a shy, quiet female lead with self confidence issues, which is a common staple in Japanese shows. The good thing is she does grow as a character and stand for what she wants.

The male lead is a genuine good guy and the relationship has bumps and such, but they communicate through it in a healthy realistic manner.

If you want a break from overwrought drama, i can totally recommend this and a good resting place.

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We all have that one co-worker

No doubt about it. "No Good Takano" is as dumb as a sack of doorknobs and not half as useful. It's a miracle that she remembers to breathe. She's not a savant or a secret genius. She is a serendipity magnet whose vexing idiocy is misunderstood in absurd or creative ways. Yes, it's over the top. But the OTT is what is funny as long as you can accept it for what it is and don't try to read into it intentions that aren't there.

The producers cast a competent ensemble of actors for both ordinary and silly characters. I liked how they took Nanao, who is an icon of glamour and often plays one, and let her go through a whole show without her looks being noted or having any meaning. Nanao herself seems to be having fun playing a deadpan character who makes lame platitudes and blank stares appear profound and wise.

I thought that neither the story nor the characters needed piles of development. They get the correct amount to keep them a bit interesting without asking the audience to identify or invest. The writing added enough depth to keep any characters from being one-dimensional. The ending, however, was a bit weak. It's not out of character for the series but I'd have hoped for something more satisfying. On that note, don't expect too much in the romance department.

The upbeat soundtrack is hardly my cup of tea as music goes but I found it appropriate and sensibly put together.

Should you watch it? I don't know. Takano offers the sort of detached amusement that helps me wind down and have a chuckle before bedtime. These things are hard to find for me so that may have earned it an extra point in my rating. YMMV but you can count on it being consistent. So if you didn't like episode 1 you will not like the rest and should watch something else. If episode 1 works for you you should keep going. That simple.

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Nothing New but Worth the watch in Intrigue!!!

I don't like long reviews so here is a short one.....

"Women should not be so assertive,assertive women will not be happy" Ep20

We have all watched these Makjang type dramas where the woman is trying to set herself free from the confines of marriage and the limitations that it puts on career and life choices for women. This story is no different as our FL was once a brilliant lawyer who gives up her career to be a housewife manipulated by her husband with anger issues. Of course there is always cheating and a crazy mistress that doesn't want to give up either.
What I liked about this drama is how even with 24 episodes, there is no moment to waste.If you watch cdramas you know how they can be sometimes with wasting time. The pacing was very good, there are a few episodes that were draggy but I mostly liked it.The only parts I hated were the FL's workmates who were feather brained for people that are supposedly lawyers. The ML's parent's plot was also a bit annoying, but thankfully it was shortlived.

The ML was very good actor, he was able to switch on the hot cold character very well. He even scared me sometimes with his coldness and those eyes.The FL wasn't that convincing though both as a weak and strong woman. I find it unbelievable that she never found her husband's behavior weird, her plotting also wasn't portrayed very well either. The kid actor was so exceptionally good, his crying scene for dad was gut-wrenching and he was cute overall. I maybe biased but I think Chinese child actors are advanced,professional little beings (so good).

Overall : It's not a new story line, but still very entertaining drama that kept me intrigued and waiting for more. I watched most of it in a day. That's how much it motivated me to watch it.

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