Reviews

Story: Because it is a remake of the korean drama "You're beautiful" the storyline is the same, the plot ofcourse the same. My expectations were set pretty high because i really loved the korean version, and because i did watch You're beautiful, it was almost impossible to not compare the two versions. There are slightly different scenes but overall it does stick to the original version very closely. This version has 11 episodes so the storyline goes by a faster pace but it still feels like the story is fulfilled nicely.

Acting/Cast: The acting really resembled the ones with the korean version , which is not bad at all, but i think it would have been a bit more interesting having different bits of characteristics that the actors could have incorporated. This would have helped give the actors more ownership to the characters , instead of seen them as the second Jeremy or the second Shin Woo. But if it is your first time watching the drama the acting is pretty good, it is fun to watch and entertaining.
The cast was okay, but they all seemed to lack a bit of chemistry together. it would have been nicer to see them more in a friendship kind of matter, the connection between them was not as tight as it could have been.

Music: the music was good, it was mostly a remake of the other version, but (again) if you haven't seen the korean version, the music was also very nice, it set the mood for the scenes right and it helped the drama move along, and it is a bit catchy.

Rewacth Value: i think its fair, its not as catchy as it could be for me to watch it again, but is does go by fast so if you do decide to watch over again it it will go nicely.

Overall: i'll give it an 7/10 , the korean version was one of my favorites, and it was impossible for me not to compare the two. But to be fair without a comparing both, this drama was good, but it wasnt great, it lacked of some charisma, chemistry, some ownership between the characters, but the story line was very good, and the acting was entertaining.

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i love Qiao En in any role, as she is one of my faves.
as the previous commentor said, it's a bit too much emphasis on the childish brat
which is also a bit unreallistic in an army academy.
but that is lately the problem with new dramas ... romance of condor heroes, swordsman, etc
they don't know what they want it to be. or as if they have different script writers,.
so, they start out very captivating and in the middle it's all stupid comedy with no correlation to
the full movie. but since you are a fan of the actress(es),actor(s) .. you skip the silly episodes
and go to the ending.
that should not be the case as it should be well-done and focused...
like Cruel Romance, Lady and Liar, Prince and Frog, Shanghai Bund, Best Get Going...
you either decide it is going to be a comedy (Hot Mama) or you stay your course
as a period movie (Beauties of the Empress, Song of the Desert, City of devastating love).
... not flip-flop and going nowhere, distracting the viewer.

In this one, thankfully, the cast is strong, and the stupidity is subdued by the other characters
like the infatuated sister and the grudging nurse seeking revenge. also the real instructor,
and the tomboy military lady. all of them are strong actresses as with most chen qiao en movies,
the supporting roles are good actresses.
but for this one, there is too much eye-candy. if you want eye-candy, you must also have a strong
male character... Lady and the Liar , Cage of Love, Lang Lin Wang

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i really liked this drama. the story line wasn't the basic Korean drama story where the main characters fall in love and they go through all this stuff but end up together. i liked that it was something different. The ending was great, it was the most emotional part and i loved it. the sound track wasn't that good though. usually i rely on the sound track to make me emotional and push those feelings but the sound track for this drama was almost non existent. it was very weak and unnoticeable. the good thing about the sound track was that it wasn't over played to the point where it was annoying.

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DON'T SLEEP ON THIS DRAMA THIS IS TOTALLY A MUST WATCH!!!

This is even my first time writing a review.

After reading the summary I instantly watched it cuz it involves being inside a comic world just like W and Extraordinary You and I was never wrong with my guts. In most c-dramas I skip a lot but in this drama? Every scene is totally hilarious, cute and interesting.

The casting was just totally perfect if QQ (female lead) was not portrayed by Zhao Lusi I don't think QQ would be an adorable character, Zhao Lusi is such a lovable and amazing actress. Most of us hate a stupid character right? QQ is actually kinda stupid but because it's Zhao Lusi I really can't hate her instead I'll be laughing my ass off, for HS (male lead) I am totally in love with him because of Ryan Ding's great acting like O M G! He is totally an amazing actor in this industry, HS was a ruthless character and he was able to show that but at the same time he was SOOO CUTEEE. For the chemistry?! OOOMYYYYGHOOOSH IT'S THE BEST!!! All those cheesy scenes makes me feel electrified!!! As for now I don't think I'd be able to watch them with a different partner on-screen T__T

As for the music? I really skip a lot of opening songs cuz it's not my cup of tea but for this??? Every time the song plays I would sing along with it with my heart fluttering because the song is soooo cute.

Maybe after several years I would go back to this drama and rewatch it like how I rewatch Mischievous Kiss and Meteor Garden after couple of years.

As much as I want this drama to have a season 2, it already had a good ending and I don't know what else could happen if they make a season 2 buut if possible I'd still watch it because I'll never get tired of their chemistry and I wanna see them have kids, well that's a common wish-list for a drama I guess hahahaha

MAYBE THIS REVIEW IS VERY BIASED BUT WHO CARES THIS IS JUST A PROOF HOW LOVABLE THIS DRAMA IS HAHAHAHA

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I absolutely enjoyed this!

I rarely watch on going variety show, but not with this one. When i saw the poster i immediately thought "I must watch this!".
I mean what are the odds can i see all of these casts interact and play as a team?

The whole show is so entertaining and funny. My favorite episodes is the flying chair one, it's so funny, I'm laughing nonstop while watching it. And ofc the food truck, i wish i could go there too ㅠㅠ

I've watched Itaewon Class and Love In The Moonlight. Both wasn't my most favorite drama, but because of this show i started liking it. I wasn't interested to watch The Sound Of Magic, but now I'll try to watch it.

The theme song is good too. I thought it's ost from one of the drama, but it was a original song for the show.
Overall, 8 episodes are too short. I WANT MORE! ㅋㅋ

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Completely pointless season

I have hundreds of complaints about this season but I don't have the energy to go into detail about everything so I just want to say it was so pointless to make this season if all the 4 leads would end up with their original relationships. Jojo and Hyeyeong had no romantic chemistry whatsoever, she always looked guilty around him and like she was with him just because he liked her and she didn't want to be lonely, other than actually loving him. It made no sense that she didn't stop Sunoh from kissing her if apparently she rang HY's alarm multiple times before that. The whole shield and spear was so stupid, annoyingly pointless and made no sense at all. The closure they gave Sunoh was so dumb too but at least he ended up with someone who actually loves him dearly and made him smile and try to become a better person. But still, he smiled only like 3 or 4 times through the whole show... Everything was so ridiculous, this season was literally unnecessary. The only storyline that actually mattered and was more interesting than whatever went on with the leads was Gulmi, I'm only not giving it 1 star because of her, but even her character can only make it go up as 2 stars.

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Let's be honest. I completely fell in love with this drama. I wasn't initially a fan of Chris Wu, even after watching him in Autumn's Concerto, but now I definitely am! The story was pretty original, and the initial misunderstanding/conflict wasn't prolonged- it was resolved after the first two episodes! Player turned dedicated man was an interesting twist to the story and though per usual t-drama style, it was a bit draggy- I still enjoyed it a lot because of the main characters' chemistry! For me personally, the main reason I enjoyed watching it was because of Chris Wu's character growth in this drama. With his fantastic acting, everything else fell into place. The OTP was beyond adorable and Chris Wu is of course a pleasure to watch on screen because he portrays the man in love very well.

The side characters' romances were also adorable, and I enjoyed the office cast as well as the parents, since there were no very vindictive characters per usual drama cliches. The music was enjoyable to listen to and it was played at the right emotional times. The music really gets stuck in your head for days and I found myself humming along to it often.

All that said, I would rewatch it if I want to experience the immense love portrayed in this drama, whether it be love between lovers, love between family, or love between friends. I don't usually cry when I watch dramas but I teared up when watching this drama, mainly because of Chris Wu and Jade Chou's fantastic acting. Thus, give this drama a chance- the first few episodes might be hard to swallow, but it's really worth it- especially if you love Chris Wu! (8.75/8.5)

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I loved this drama from the start. The action started right from the beginning and the main Character Michael King was "oh sooo cool". just the way I Iove my main man. I guess most people would either love it or hate it. It's an entertaining drama if you don't take it too seriously but won't like it if you want something deeper. Like watching an Korean version of the old James Bond Movies. I for one absolutely loved it. Song II Gook is so incredibly hot , definitely eye candy treat for me. Will be looking for other dramas by him. Main couple could have had more romantic scenes together, that's my only issue.

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the lackluster plot ultimately overshadows the talents of the cast

Episode 1-2: The drama kicks off with a promising start—a good story that got me hooked. The characters and plot seem intriguing, making me excited to see where it goes.

Episode 3-5: The excitement continues as the story unfolds. I'm invested in the characters and their journeys. However, by the middle episodes, things start to feel a bit lost. The plot becomes confusing, and I find myself wondering where the story is heading.

Episode 6-10: I stick with it, hoping the initial charm will come back. Unfortunately, it doesn't. The narrative seems to be going nowhere, and I'm left feeling a bit disappointed. The actor and actress keep me hanging on, but the story's magic is fading.

Episode 11-14: The drama struggles to regain its momentum. The plot twists are becoming convoluted, and I'm starting to lose interest. I keep watching mainly for the talented actors, but the weak plot is taking a toll on my enjoyment.

Episode 15-16: The final episodes arrive, and I hope for a redeeming conclusion. Unfortunately, the ending leaves me with a jaw-dropping moment—not in a good way. The terrible plot writing comes to light, and I realize how much it can impact a drama. Somewhere along the story, the writers lost their magic, resulting in a disappointing finale that leaves me questioning the entire series. Despite the initial enjoyment, the lackluster plot ultimately overshadows the talents of the actors and actresses.

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The Bromance In The Embers Of My Mind

We have all been at this decent, imaginative intersection before, unsure whether to continue a title or drop it. Each path will eventually lead your way and you´ll most likely not spend too much time on the decision either. I´ve been processing my thoughts and decided to continue this walk with Shiro and Ichiro - until the very end.

You might be wondering what led me to change my mind?

The seductive feeling of both betrayal and approval - a raging embrace - they press tightly together, but they don´t touch. The sensation escapes the senses, plunges into a story without depth, again it wants to rise. But something is holding back, holding you. Two eyes that have one goal, one reality and one purpose. A vibrant display of bromance, isn't it tempting? You´re lured by the vibrant red that burns like the fire in Shiro's heart and held by the appealing sight of Ichiro not only investigating the case but being a faint breath away from devouring the embers. This feeling alone is what held me.

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Gu Man gives us another amazing drama & Yang Yang & Reba bring it to life

Novelist Gu Man has written yet another novel (You Are My Glory) that was turned into an amazing drama. If you haven’t watched her dramas or read her novels you’re missing out. Two of her dramas, Boss & Me and Love o2o will forever be in my top ten all time favorite cdramas. I love how endearing and touching her novels are. This drama is deep and very emotional so most actors would struggle with it. But not Yang Yang and Reba. Their acting blew me away and made this drama what it is.

I expected this to be a cute romcom but was pleasantly surprised to find a rather deep drama with a unique story to tell. Even though it had a few cute and funny moments, it wasn’t something that made me laugh a lot. The drama mainly focuses on the leads and their struggles to achieve success in both their careers and in their private lives. In keeping with her other stellar dramas, Gu Man gives us a mature drama about adults working together to build a healthy relationship without all of the noble idiocy, stupid misunderstandings, love triangles, and unnecessary breakups. There are no second leads causing trouble nor is there anyone plotting against the leads at their workplace. This is more of a slice of life drama that has an underlying message and a lesson to teach.

I appreciate how much effort went into this drama. This is definitely a big budget drama. The set designs were elaborate, the wardrobe was gorgeous and many scenes were filmed in exotic locations. I especially loved the beautiful desert area they filmed in several times. The CGI for the games was really good too. They obviously went all out for this drama.

Some will say that this drama is not unique since the designer and gamer storylines have been done a lot lately. What makes this drama unique is not the setting the characters are put in. It’s how Gu Man wrote their characters and how those characters interact with others. This is a unique drama where the leads actually have a healthy relationship and communicate. And yet it’s not boring at all. She proves that you don’t have to have ridiculous misunderstandings, breakups, or obsessed second leads to make a drama interesting. That’s why this drama is so unique. And it’s why I like Gu Mans dramas so much.

There are no tripping and falling into the male leads arms, no accidental kisses, or drunk confessions. Everything is very normal and realistic so the drama was very relatable. The leads gradually fall in love over time and the issues they face aren’t silly misunderstandings but normal things many couples face in the real world. Their romance is very realistic and their chemistry is some of the best I’ve seen. If you prefer your romance dramas to have lots of kisses and skinship then you won’t be disappointed here. There’s lots of kisses, hugs, princess carrying, and cuddling. But it’s not cheesy at all, it’s very mature and realistic. The romance is what truly shines in this drama.

If I had a complaint, it would be that I wished there was a bit more tension and action in the drama. But slice of life dramas like this one don’t rely on evil antagonists or fast paced action scenes to move the plot along. They rely on well developed characters and the emotional journey they take to move us and get us invested in the drama. And this drama does that extremely well. Seeing the male lead work hard his whole life to achieve a dream he had since high school then reluctantly decide to give it up was heart wrenching. So when he decides to make one last effort to pursue his dreams, I won’t lie, I was out of my seat and cheering him on. And seeing both leads grow and mature in both their personal and professional lives was very satisfying. Their journey in life was quite endearing.

I’ve enjoyed watching Yang Yang and Reba mature and grow as actors over the years. I’ve watched many of their movies and dramas but this was probably the best I’ve seen from both of them. Their acting was amazing and their facial expressions blew me away. The whole cast did well but the main leads were spectacular.

Overall I’d say this was an amazing drama. It’s not cliche nor is it cheesy and the acting is incredible. The storyline is interesting as it delves into the world of online gaming, then we learn about aerospace engineering, and then we see what professional actors have to deal with. So it’s never boring or uninteresting. It’s one of the best slice of life dramas I’ve ever watched. If you don’t watch this drama then you’re missing out, I highly recommend it.

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The first time I tried watching this I was on a Hyun Bin kick after watching Secret Garden. I made it to episode 3 before I dropped it due to finding it boring. That was when I was really new to dramas but recently Ive been in a drama slump and decided to give it another try because I like some of the writer’s other works such as Goodbye Solo (really underrated watch it! ) and Padam Padam…

Story: Many would probably find the lack of a plot boring but I didn’t mind it after giving the drama a second chance. The writer just focuses on showcasing the lives of people in the drama industry. Its not about making dramas but what may go on in the lives of these characters and also how they interact with each other. There’s several romances, breakups and makeups which can be seen as realistic. I loved the ending it was perfect!!

Acting/Cast: This is an ensemble piece so even though you might be in it for the billed actors (Hyun Bin and Song Kye Hyo) you will come to love all the actors involved. The chemistry between everyone was soo good that you will become attached to all the characters and root for them. My only gripe is they could’ve showed more scenes of the Gyu Ho/ Hae Jin pairing. I also thought that Daniel Choi was a scene-stealer and his character was unlike anything ive seen him play.

Music: It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t memorable either.

Rewatch: Fast pacing, a great ensemble cast, and a nice ending make it very rewatchable but I don’t have to watch it again for a while.

Overall I think a more seasoned drama watcher or viewers who like mature/realistic stories will enjoy Worlds Within a lot.

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Ditto

Somewhere a screenwriter was watching the movie Ghost for the fifth time and decided it would make a great drama. Just trade out a police officer who can see ghosts for the clairvoyant Whoopi Goldberg and Satoh Takeru for Patrick Swayze. The title I Should Have Told You a Million Times was even reflected in the 1990 movie. If you've seen the movie, nothing in this drama will come as a surprise. Having said that, the characters were all likeable enough to keep my interest throughout the drama.

The story opens with a Sixth Sense beginning, but if you've read the synopsis, the suspense fell flat. Thankfully, they didn't drag it out. Yui and Naoki were childhood friends who reconnected and began dating. On her birthday, he disappears. Along comes Detective Uozumi whose latent spiritual sight evolves just in time to see Naoki. Uozumi works to figure out what happened to Naoki while he's embroiled in another murder investigation. The three become friends as they dig through the past to see how old relationships and old crimes are playing havoc with the present. There were also some Ghost Whisperer moments where they helped a couple of wandering ghosts with their regrets.

Despite some repetitious scenes and obvious borrowing from other sources, I enjoyed the story as it unfolded. The bromance that developed between Naoki and Uozumi helped cover over some of the weaker writing. The suave Satoh Takeru and nerdy Matsuyama Kenichi had a nice chemistry. Inoue Mao showed how hard it is to let go as Yui held on tight to a man she couldn't see. With all the extra time they were given and a translator as well, it was frustrating that Yui and Naoki didn't work through their emotions and regrets. In some ways, their relationship came across as fairly shallow instead of an intimate love---words matter.

The supernatural murder mystery came to its natural ending in episode 9, but then they decided to tack on a wish fulfillment ending for the last episode that almost completely ruined this drama for me. With one little tweak they had the opportunity to showcase the perfect ending for a tearjerker drama but by dragging it out, took all of the emotional punch from the previous episode. In time, I will block out the last episode, grind through the five stages of grief and remember the other episodes and engaging characters fondly.

7/5/23

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