Reviews

40 Episodes + 4 Couples + Hot Mess "I Need Time" script = 2nd Dumpster Fire of 2024

I added this to my watchlist because I wanted to see HYT in a totally different character and genre. He is known for his aloofness and very little emotion. And while this character was essentially really good for him (smiling, being a goofball, showing a range of emotions) the rest was not. I hope he gets more chances like this but with much better scripts. Because 40 episodes, 4 couples, an absolute hot mess script turned this promising series into the 2nd dumpster fire I've seen in 2024.

Pros: HYT's character, the 4 best friends and their relationship as they were the much needed comic relief of the entire show, LYN's OST and some of the BGMs. Those were the only pros.

Cons: Everything else! This was a remake apparently of some Korean drama but it suffered badly from a horrible script. On top of that it had 4 couples with very little chemistry, 40 episodes of rinse, repeat, please pass the cheese scenarios where I personally skipped 6 of the latter episodes because of how annoyed I was at everyone and every situation. Furthermore, when the actual actors request for script changes to their characters because of how ridiculous and unrealistic the story was, that's a huge red flag. The theme of this show was, "I need time." Time to think about how to be a miserable moron apparently. Let's talk about each couple.

The leads started off with the FL liking the SML who fell for SFL as the ML fell for her at first sight. It was a love quad. Except it never felt like the FL was capable of liking or loving anyone. Instead it was more like a hobby and having any boyfriend would have sufficed. She had little actual knowledge of what love even was until I think the second to last episode even though she and the ML did get together, they had more breakups than I was willing to count and the selfish way she told him that "I never trusted you in the first place", floored me and absolutely solidified that she didn't deserve the ML who spent all 40 episodes bending over backwards for her. Even when his ex and her kid were brought in (as total and unnecessary plot devices), it just highlighted how ridiculously insecure the FL was. I was sure that after that horrendous line, the ML wouldn't go near her but let her come crawling back to him but nope he still thought of her, sent her flowers etc. She was willing to believe total strangers about him than the words and actions he'd shown her from the get go. It was infuriating. Her episode 39 traffic light epiphany about how he loved her but she didn't realize it just seemed contrived because just an hour before she walked away from him for the 100th time unwilling to give him an answer and now like someone shot nuclear EQ into her head, she suddenly understood everything he ever did for her and regretted the way she acted and wanted to love him the same way he loved her. It was beyond unbelievable.

I had originally liked this show because it showed the lives of flawed, imperfect characters in their daily lives but once I realized that most of the women were devolving into morons or already started there and one sounded like a toddler making me ffw her as much as I could, I couldn't back it anymore. There was literally no actual plot to this series save for everyone's relationship issues and it just got boring quick. Only the brotherhood of the 4 guys made it really worth watching.

The second leads issues stemmed from the SFL lack of facial expressions, her traumatic upbringing but the worst was that she took all of her anger out on the SML who didn't do anything but wait for her and quietly supported her. Unlike ML, he wasn't going to grovel and follow her around but let her have her space. He also had an insufferable mother to deal with who never really came around as she just gave up because he still proposed to SFL and got his father and sister to help shut his mother up. It was a group win as opposed to a mother who loved her son and wished for his happiness above her own interests. SFL was also wishy-washy when it came to advice for her even worse wishy-washy best friend the FL; like figure out your own life before you give others advice.

The 3rd couple seemed like very much an afterthought especially with who they cast as TFL; the toddler voiced, spoiled though with a good heart woman-child was somehow to be believed to be a 24 year old postgraduate who was in love with TML, a lawyer with a tragic past of his own, in losing his wife unexpectedly 4 years prior. Now the toddler could act brave and sound mature in the business setting but as soon as that was done, she would whiplash back to acting and sounding like she needed her binkie. Literally ffw'd her through pretty much the entire show. She definitely had her strong moments but they were few and far in between.

Our last couple, had the least screen time together and I called them the married/divorced couple because that was their identity. And though I admired the FFL for how she officially ended their marriage admitting that a lot of it was her fault and she should have come to terms with it sooner, what brought them back together was that she got pregnant but than started blaming him again for the little things including him signing the divorce papers that she orchestrated in the first place! And he again started to apologize; like what in the what? Make it make sense, please.

Overall, everyone got back together, married, engaged, whatever but you didn't feel much sense of accomplishment other than when the 4 friends buried a new time capsule and continued their goofiness, was literally what I considered the ending.

Would I recommend it? No way. I have seen most of these actors in other things that had done them justice but this thing absolutely wasn't one of them. I want a similar character for HYT but with a different script that he deserves; same goes for the other actors. If you cherish your sanity, watch something else.

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"Goryeo is more resilient than we thought"

I had been looking forward to watching the historical Korea-Khitan War as it wasn’t a fantasy or focused on the romantic involvements of the king or other characters. I ended up having mixed reactions to the varied approaches to history and the different levels of acting abilities.

Goryeo was dealing with its larger and more aggressive neighbor, the Liao Empire run by the Khitans. There had already been one invasion by the Khitans which had been repelled but led to concessions on both sides. After a coup, Gang Jo has the teenager Hyun Jong coronated king. The Khitans use the coup as justification for another invasion and for the people of Goryeo and their new king it won’t be the last.

When the drama focused on the historical events of the invasions, I found it quite compelling. This small country stood its ground and used every trick and resource it could to repel the invaders. I became deeply invested in characters like Kang Kam Chan, Yang Kyu, Kim Sook Heung, Ji Chae Mun, and even the Khitan general Xiao Pai Ya. Goryeo not only dealt with the enemy across the border but the enemy within, as traitors opened their gates to the invaders or planned to cooperate with the Khitans. After the Khitans were successfully repelled the second time, the drama lapsed into internal conflicts for around 14 episodes that apparently were not based in historical evidence which I found disappointing. When they once again faced the Khitans, more prepared for their familiar enemy, the drama picked back up for me.

The battle scenes required an understanding that with a limited budget, armies of over 100,000 troops were going to be represented by two dozen people. Battle fields that should have been hip deep in bodies and blood were suddenly washed clean with no one there. For the most part when they showed the fighting up close and the stakes involved it was easier to buy in. The battle at Heunghwajin was done quite well. I was hoping to see the damming of the river battle in the third invasion, but that was likely beyond their budget.

Some of the acting was quite good. Choi Soo Jong as the rigid and canny Kang Kam Chan gave a brilliant performance. Ji Seung Hyun as Yang Kyu was quite believable as the determined warrior who could adapt and improvise on the battlefield. The deep voiced Kim Tae Han as Xiao Pai Ya provided the perfect foil for Kang Kam Chan. There were some limited performances by many other characters that often pulled me out of the moment. The drama focused much of its attention on the saintly, emotional king, but I found him to be one of the least interesting characters and performances. The amateurish camera pans of obvious reaction shots of people being wide-eyed, open-mouthed shocked in the court were overused. The villains, Emperor Shengzong of Liao and Park Jin of Chungju, were overacted and did everything but twirl their mustaches to let you know how evil they were.

When Korea-Khitan War focused on the war, it was engrossing to see how the Goryeo army was going to outfox and outfight the larger armies of the Khitans. When it lapsed into endless political jockeying and arguments, focusing on less compelling characters and actors, it lost some steam and historical integrity.

20 May 2024

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A love that surpasses the arc of time and the lives of the two lovers

Liu Li is a BL-themed novelist who wants to love vehemently, so that he can then express his thoughts in writing. Under the pseudonym Morris, he has published two best-selling novels based on his real-life experiences, but today, after the rejection of his platonic love, he suffers from writer's block and cannot find inspiration to write the third book, which he has already demands his editor.
Seeking inspiration, he sits at the same table every day at Old House, his favorite meat noodle and hot sauce shop, located in the lower part of the building where he rents an apartment, and where he makes blue origami birds for hours, while waiting for the arrival of the muse.
Gu Jin, or Boss Gu, as his employees call him, who was a successful advertising executive until his resignation, caused by a scandal involving his despotic mother, decides not to give up in the face of adversity and takes advantage of his culinary vocation to set up his own restaurant. business as chef and owner of Old House, where he will meet Liu Li.
Starring Stan Huang as Gu Jing, and Chen Xuan Yu as Liu Li, 'VIP Only' (保留席位 / Pao Liu Hsi Wei (Bao Liu Xi Wei), the Taiwanese LGBTIQ+-themed romantic comedy-drama spins in around the love relationship between the handsome and attractive chef who owns the creative and retro restaurant, and the shy boy with a vocation as a novelist who, although he has never been in a relationship, recognizes that as a writer he has many ideas about what it means to be in love.
Director another dreams of continuing to promote his career as a writer.
Based on the script written by Cai Fei Qiao, Xiao Yi Wei and Chen Liang Ci, 'VIP Only' is a tender and delicious story of love and improvement marked by literature and cooking, a relationship that arises between stoves and tables restaurant; a chef with high culinary skills and a regular customer.
Vidol is the Taiwanese streaming platform that makes this and other BL series such as 'Stay by My Side' (2023), 'Anti-Reset' (2024) and 'You Are Mine' (2023).
Like many of the dishes prepared by the chef, the love between the two young people simmers. It all begins when Gu asks Liu Li to go on dates with him to stimulate his imagination and inspire him to continue his work as a writer.
This is how in the middle of a role-play in which they both date each other and pretend to be in love, love surprises them.
Between plates of food, Gu reading Liu Li's novels, hearing about each other's lives while folding origami, or the novelist's determination to learn to cook because Gu is very passionate about the culinary art, both boys will leave getting to know each other and becoming closer, until they discover that they have much more in common than they think, since they were friends in childhood.
Liu Da Ren (Tim Cheng) and Lai Dai Yi / "Lai Tsai" (Kurt Huang), Gu's employee at the restaurant the first and Liu Li's friend the second, will help the two boys in their romance. However, their love will be put to the test when Wu Shin (Kevin Chang), the boy the writer was in love with, returns and tries to win him over.
The cast is completed with the performances of Hsiao Hung as Yao Shun Yu, and Parker Mao in the role of Xia Shang Zhou, protagonists of the Taiwanese BL drama 'You Are Mine', in which they embody these same characters.
The chef will also hallucinate with joy/madness when he discovers that Liu Li thanks Wu Shin for having inspired him to write two best-selling novels, and for teaching him to be brave and confess his love to the person he loves, and chooses him.
The love that unites Liu Li and Gu will surpass the arc of their lives and time, through the book written by the former and inspired by the latter and the romance they live.
Almost everything in 'VIP Only' could be on the verge of crossing the thin line of cheesy, or vulgar melodrama, but it is redeemed by the tenderness of its story, the truth of characters who support each other and manage to overcome difficulties while experiencing personal growth, the chemistry between the two protagonists and the interpretive flexibility of Stan Huang and Chen Xuan Yu.

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Would watch again

The drama combines two popular concepts, fighting against fate and a character in a story finding out they are a character in a story. In the beginning, the episodes made sense, were interesting to watch, and set up the story and world well. You are introduced to Dan Oh, who is determined to change her fate because she is very sick. However, Dan Oh becomes focused on being with Haru, and the later episodes are somewhat repetitive. I felt like the ending wasn’t up to par with the first few episodes because the quality decreased significantly as the drama progressed. The ending wasn’t satisfactory, and there are a lot of plot holes. One is the biggest mysteries is whether Haru is homeless or not because he sleeps in the school. We never get to know more about the author of the story and how the scenes that Dan Oh changed affected them.

What I liked:
- The OST (Skz & April)
- Bark Kyung’s character development
- Acting

What I didn’t like:
- The character relationships had potential, but it was a little wasted
- Important characters that we know nothing about (Haru)
- Turns into your typical romance story with a high school girl infatuated with a guy and prioritizing him over her own life
- Ending
- Plotholes

Overall, I loved the actors, so I would watch it again. However, don’t be too sad when you watch it and the plot isn’t as interesting as the synopsis. If you love typical kdrama romances, this is for you. If you want some romance with more depth, you might not enjoy this drama as much as me.

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breaking my silence ( i put whatever in the star rating because i want to finish it first)

The drama started out fun and great but it started going down hill after the "highschool arc" , she avoided him in the most absured ways giving me second hand embaressment instead of talking and making it clear she wants nothing to do with him tf . But i still had hope, a part of me did'nt want this show to go even further down the drain , i had hope that they will salvage it somehow and pick up the pace when they made up . I really waited and suffered through out the whole collage missunderstanding thing , the light at the end of the tunnel started shinning and i was as hopeful as i can get when they he finally figured out the future thing , i ran till the end of this tunnel following the bright hopeful light and when i finally reached it it turned dark and all i could feel was the despair of the fucking disaster of episode 13. it was so bad i just finished watching it right now and started to write this . Episode 13 was so bad it made me write a goddamn essay , and the thing that makes my blood boil is the fact that people LIKED the episode , am i the problem ??? i don't wanns say too much about the episode because i already reviewd it in the episode 13 review , but the ending actually made me almost cry ........out of anger lmaooo beacuse please tell me why did she do that , now all the other 12 episode mean nothing quite literally .

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Story is good......

This drama is good. Story is acceptable. The best about this drama is the FL. As is the case of most dramas - the FL usually carries the weight. Or more appropriately, more often than not, saves the day.
In this drama, the ML seems too old. Yes, its a mature drama and the roles (member of parliaments) are usually that of middle aged persons. However, there seems to be a mismatch between a super pretty FL and a too old looking ML. In addition, while its true that there are cocky persons in the world - but they are generally detested. Its also true in movies or dramas. The ML here is a bit cocky; combined with his being too old to the pretty FL - its a recipe for viewers distaste.

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I think I just found a new favorite Kdrama!

Sometimes, a hyped show is overrated. You keep turning it up and down, trying to figure out what others see in it but it makes no sense. Then sometimes, the show isn't bad by any means but it's definitely not as good as others say. But on very rare occasions, the show is actually as good as everyone says it is! Twinkling Watermelon is definitely one of those rare stars in the night sky. Sure, it's a musical and that is a bit irritating, but the show makes up for it with a very creative plot, amazing cast with natural chemistry, effective humor, and so much genuine emotional anchoring that not watching this show would be an absolute loss.
Now, obviously this has time travel and I think they did it in such an interesting way and we're not gonna over-analyse the logistics of it...anyway, I thought the way that this works out which is sort of similar to "Back to the future" was so cute. It's just so emotional when Ha Eun Gyeol, the main character, meets his parents for the first time.
The plot is complex, very complex, but the show doesn't fumble and it wraps it up so well. And I'm so surprised to be saying this but I think this show could've had maybe an extra 20 minutes to explain some bits from the ending even more! (I know, asking for more time when usually 16-episodes shows drag, already! WILD!) The whole thing is heavily relying on the relationships between the characters and these characters are just so easily lovable that watching the show is just so fun. I didn't totally love our female lead as she caused a whole lot of drama but the actress is a personal favorite and she did a good job and despite the frustrations, it's all a part of her character growth so I think it wasn't a bother. My favorite characters remain Ha Yi Chan and Chung Ah, though. And of course, nothing beats the relationship between Yi Chan and Eun Gyeol. It was so touching and I just wanted them to be happy. :(
I've already expressed my love for the four main actors but the supporting cast were wonderful too. Everyone was just right in their own position and they all did such a good job. Kudos all around.
I wanna gosh more about just the plot and the perfect humor and the fact that despite a little hiccup between episode 11 and 12, this show manages to escape the curse of epsidoe 12 and the show doesn't lose the narrative momentum in episode 12. Despite the fact that it could've ended at that point, the story does find an excuse to keep going but at least here the excuse they use lands well for the plot and facilitates the existence of some of the most emotional moments of the whole show in the final episodes. Overall, I'm just so impressed with the writing in this show. It stands out among the sea of repetitive (if still endearing) and overwritten shows that keep getting made. And I think this isn't even a webcomic adaptation, right?! An extra star just for that!!!!
The production is very good here. It's nothing revolutionary but there are little affects used here and there that just make the show quirky and unique. The story is mainly set in 1995 and the fashion is just the right amount of vaguely retro that it isn't offensively modern and still conveys the 90s aesthetic. At least they don't have a 30 year old woman wear a 2024 trendy hairclip!
I might rewatch this actually. I loved it.
Final comment: This show deserves its place at the very top of Top Shows list. It was a delight to watch and I recommend it to everyone!
P.S.: If anyone knows who the singers for the main characters are, please let me know! Thank you!

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The bromance is strong with this one

Another completely biased review from me to you.

I adored this series! It definitely doesn't take itself too seriously. The story has some ridiculous parts to it but is done so damn right! Both MLs are absolutely gorgeous, and their outfits are stunning. (Except for the hats, but oh well, historical accuracy and all that? I could do without that little bit of accuracy though) Seriously, whoever did their wardrobe, especially their three-piece suits, should win an award, just beautiful. I wonder if they get to take their suits home with them. And can we talk about dressing the one ML up in a frilly apron? Yep, strong bromance. And the other ML rocking an ascot? Yep, he does.

The sets, music, camera, lighting, everything in this series are really good. The music is wonderful and really adds to the story. As far as I can see, high production values for such a silly short series. Episodes are 10-11 minutes long. Opening is 1 minute 21 seconds. End credits are 2 minutes. So each episode is actually ~7 minutes long, give or take a few seconds lol. But surprisingly I don't mind watching the open/end credits. They are pretty darn good and show the strong bromance between these 2. And the end credits are different each time, showing a bit of a preview of the next episode so fun to watch. Plus check out the words of the ending song. Oh my, strong bromance.

Yes, this is a delicious, silly little series but so easy to watch. And perfect to get you out of a heavy drama and angsty things. A It's a light and fluffy republican era drama (who knew there was such a thing?) with 2 hot MLs shooting their way through the bad guys? Oh yes, sign me up for this one! Maybe I enjoyed this a bit too much! Would love to see more like this. And no annoying FL to mess up the bromance!

Here's the spoilery stuff.

There are so many bits to love:
The getaway with both of them on one bicycle with them bickering the entire way is so damn funny!
Defacing the family motto!
The blind date stand-in.
The way the one ML drinks liquor!
OMG, ML2 breaking the gun ML1's dad left him, then handing him his undercover Anti-traitor Corps badge LOL 'Crap! I got exposed.' So damn funny I almost hurt myself laughing!
Oh lord, 'No one is on opium guard duty tomorrow night' over and over and over. 'Do you think he heard us?
How f*cking cool the ML looks in his silver mask.
The ridiculous code names 'Starry Boy' lol.
'Fine, I'm mad now. Stay here for some introspection.' while wagging his finger at him.
ML1 and other anti-traitor corp dude wearing matching silk robes and pajamas and ML2 with different silk pajamas on sitting in the middle. Yep, other ML said it best, 'Idiot'
ML1 is trying to explain to ML2 that he isn't a traitor, and all the things that he's done to try and protect him, then it somehow morphs into a wife complaining about the husband's bad habits: 'You never wipe your shoes bottom when you come indoors, leaving the floor all muddy. You make a lot of noise when you eat and sleep. I can't fall asleep at all.' I am dying laughing here! The best part is you never know when these gems are going to come out, they just organically appear.
It's always nice when a gang attacks the good guys, but then all wait their turn to fight.
The slow, romantic music, while they are trying to find each other after being attacked, with lots of bromance flashbacks!
The look on ML2's face when he finally sees ML1. The look on ML1's face when he sees ML2. Oh my, this is a bit more than bromance.
If ML1 keeps knocking out ML2 all the time he's going to suffer permanent brain damage. And he's very slow to begin with!
The dynamite sticks duds pretty damn funny! Such a dramatic build-up.
The fight scene in the church, awesome!
The little smile on ML's face, priceless!
Snore/punch lol
Wonderful ending, including the gun fumble and door handle.

This light bit of froth is just a perfect binge watch. I highly recommend this. Enjoy!

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Very well done all around.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series and everything about it: the story, the acting, the pacing, the directing. It all came together really well to create another great series to add to the growing Korean BL lineup.

The series begins with an insight to where the story is headed then we go back in time to tell the story of how we ended up there. By the time we catch up, there's still more story to come (including one of the best plot twists I've seen).

This series could have really benefitted from a couple more episodes, just because the story was that good and it deserved more ironing out. That's my main issue with KBL series; they are always so short. Sometimes it's good when the story is less involved and doesn't need all the extra filler. But when they are working with a more complex theme or multiple storylines intertwined, they really deserve a bit more time to have it come together better.

I think this series did a decent job with tying together all the loose ends though just a tiny more explanation or conclusion in some areas could have made this series perfect.

This could have been a 10 from me if they didn't use my most HATED trope ever.. The "I don't love you" excuse for breaking up instead of being honest about what was going on in their heads. I can't remember which series I wrote it in but one of the reviews I did for a series that used that, I said that there's no coming back from a claim like that and it's just as true here. Thank goodness the very next scene is someone stepping in and the couple clears the air and reconciles not even two minutes later so the unnecessary angst didn't linger.

The only other complaints I have for this series is that I wish the "side couple" (if you could call them that) didn't really end up together although they were back to being friends. But the senior kind of allowed his internal homophobia to win which is really unfortunate. It would be great to see a side story or even spin off series that explores their relationship more as I still think they had (have?) a lot of potential.

I wish there was a little more resolution with the father though I get that there were time constraints to fit in the main storyline. They needed to have a serious conversation. The dad get's told off once and he's suddenly a changed man? I highly doubt it. But I just took it to mean it would be a work in progress and that they would eventually come to an understanding, even if we don't see it.

Speaking of things we don't see... I love when a plot twist comes completely out of left field and I don't see it coming while it still fits in seamlessly with the story. I could see people saying there were too many coincidences but I think it was pretty poetic when the truths came to light. (I'm trying really hard not to give it away so I'll stop talking about it now.)

But yeah, I definitely recommend this series. It was full of heart, great storytelling and had a mixture of funny and serious moments that blended well together. The music was a nice change of pace too, giving a fresh spin on a classic formula.

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Avrei voluto una puntata in più

Finale un pochino affrettato. ultima puntata avrebbe avuto bisogno un seguito. o qualcosina in più comunque. sono rimasta un pochino con quella sensazione di...incompletezza...5 minuti risicati di Finale non mi sono bastati. però rispetto alle altre serie questa ha una storia molto ben sviluppata. il protagonista maschile fantastico. mi è venuta voglia di vedere altro. e delle donne finalmente ben scritte e non le solite ragazzine scemotte. Una serie dove muoiono anche i protagonisti... certo un pochino di propaganda per la rivoluzione comunista però abbiamo tutti una storia e la Cina ha la sua ?‍♀️

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Waste of Time

To be honest, one of the worst kdrama ever watched ! The story is very dull and undeveloped with no real ending.
I can understand that the drama is trying to focus on relationship and how it should be handled but with that it lose the purpose of being a drama and become more as educated.

I must admit that some parts it was great and made me want to know what would happen on next episodes but i found my self skipping alot later on as nothing is presented and things are goring with useless circle

Anyway i find it not worth watching at all nor i do recommend anyone to do if you are looking for Love story

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*SIGH* ?‍♀️

Honestly, I don't know where to start here. Literally came to serve mid. I thought the plot was interesting at first and I was naturally waiting to see how I-soo was going to be influenced by Ba-Tang (ngl, I almost call her Bang Tan 70% of the time) and the rest of the classmates in this almost perfect school. I have more frustrations and questions as I watch the drama than I get answers. Namely: (1) what happened between I-soo and his dad? (hopefully we know eventually), (2) why is the lawyer letting him run the school rn instead of waiting until he finishes school, because I don't get how him running the school now works as an incentive form him to want to keep the school? (3) when will the adults start adulting? (4) why does EVERYONE & THEIR PETS want a piece of the school? etc.

I can't tell you why I watched it but I guess I kept hoping it gets better and 40ish minutes of my time every Monday isn't too much time invested. Don't get me wrong there are moments that make watching bearable but it's just not enough of them to save the rating. I guess I am glad they put in the effort and tried acting. idk. I don't know if it was because of the episode run time, or what but very poor execution. Hopefully they learn and grow from this.

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