Reviews

A beautiful second chance romamce <3

Fireworks in My Heart is a heartwarming drama about two childhood sweethearts who are reunited after 10 years. Song Yan is a firefighter who is dedicated to his job and his family. He is also a bit of a hothead, but he has a heart of gold. He reunites with his childhood sweetheart, Xu Qin, who is now a doctor. Xu Qin is kind and compassionate, but she is also a bit reckless. The two of them fall in love again, but their relationship is complicated by their different careers and their pasts.

Fireworks in My Heart is a well-made drama with excellent acting, a suspenseful plot, and a heartwarming romance. The show does a great job of balancing the action and the emotion, and it never feels too cheesy or too serious. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the show does a good job of exploring the themes of love, loss, and redemption.

If you're looking for a drama that will make you laugh, cry, and root for the characters, then you'll definitely want to check out Fireworks in My Heart. It's a heartwarming and suspenseful drama that you won't be able to forget.

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A must-watch for fans of horror and mystery !!

I'm not usually a fan of horror, but Revenant had me hooked from the first episode. The story follows a literature professor named San-yeong who begins to experience strange and terrifying visions after she inherits a memento from her father. As she tries to unravel the mystery of her visions, she finds herself drawn into a dark and dangerous world of demons and shamans.

What I loved most about Revenant was the way it blended elements of horror, mystery, and suspense. The show did a great job of building suspense and creating a sense of dread. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next.
The acting in Revenant was also top-notch. Kim Tae-ri gave a fantastic performance as San-yeong. She was able to convey San-yeong's fear, confusion, and determination in a way that was both believable and engaging.

Overall, Revenant was a refreshing and unique take on the horror genre. It's not your typical jump-scare fest. Instead, it's a slow-burning thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

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The world-building that lacks the necessary detail.

I knew what I would get, but I honestly wanted to love it. I adored the first two episodes and thought they were as strong as an introduction can get. And then it led to nowhere.

The idea was there, it just lacked the necessary detail to make it truly engaging for me. Too many questions were left hanging, the folklore was barely touched, the backgrounds of the characters were shallow, the motivations were not set up that well. I don’t even want to talk about the villain on the human side, because that was some next level of clownery.

Loved the “first act” - the introduction to the characters, the initial set up for the story, the questions that were asked that we were supposed to get the answers for as the drama progressed. All that got me curious - I wanted to know more. The variety of the characters was perfection - we had the hardworking and strong female lead who just tried to survive, the scholar that tried to solved the decades long mystery and the sceptic detective who tried to make sense of all the unexplainable. And behind it all an evil force that seems untouchable and always one step ahead.

Sadly, the second act was just too damn long and not written well enough. Some stories were just dropped without proper explanation, how the ghosts work and what can be done with them was not explained either. A 30 second google search can give me more information about all the types of ghosts that were introduced. They just never explored any ideas they introduced.

What's more, I was just too frustrated with the characters. It took them too long to learn from their mistakes and their actions often were simply stupid. Hae Sang was unnecessarily cryptic refusing to explain anything to anyone until it was too late, San Young was all over the place it’s actually hard to even describe her character, and while Hong Sae was fun to watch, for 80% of the show he seemed out of place for the story written - his bits felt more like crime rom-com than supernatural thriller.

For a story like that to work, you need one of the two: rich and interesting folklore or great teamwork. Revenant had none of these. As I already said, the whole world buildup was weak. As for the scooby gang - we had to wait way too long for them to actually start working together, and when they did… the drama ended.

All that said, I adored the casting for the leads. It was refreshing. Oh Jung Se in a serious and stoic role is what we needed. I'm far more used to seeing him in more animated and exaggerated characters, so this was a fun new take.

Hong Kyung going from Oh Beom Seok to Lee Hong Sae is something I thought I would struggle with, but surprisingly, I had no issue putting my hate behind me and enjoying his character in Revenant.

Park Ji Young as a "weak" character was also so weird, but so good! Kim Tae Ri's role was not surprising since her career is short enough to not be type cast yet. She was also smart enough to take roles that are rather different from each other since day one. Loved the duality of her performances even if I was not obsessed with how Gu San Young was written. Kim Tae Ri just simply never dissapoints with her acting.

The production was great. Can we all collectively appreciate the lack of black eyes as the indicator someone is possessed? No cheap snapchat filters for ghosts. Amazing use of light and shadows, good special effects - it never felt like they overused them. Even the supernatural events felt realistic and grounded in the presented picture.

I guess I just have a love-hate relationship with Kim Eun Hee’s writing. I am obsessed with how creative her ideas are, but I’m also pissed at how she cannot truly execute them in a correct way. I feel like she needs someone who will ask her questions about her stories. How does it work? Why did the character act this way? What was the origin of that issue? How does this premise work into the world you built? Answers that will fill the framework of the idea she has.

Overall, was it a fun watch? Sure. Did it have a lot of issues I just cannot see passed? Yes. I knew the directing would be my style based on the people behind it, I knew I would have specific issues with the writing based on the past works of the writer. I knew I would love the acting and I knew I would overall enjoy it, but I would not be amazed. And that’s exactly what I’ve got.

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It’s good but something is missing

I liked this drama. I really did. But something was missing for me. Usually horror stories bring a sort of dopamine rush which was not there for this drama. The story was interesting and several plot lines were only revealed at the end. The pacing of the drama was good too and none of the episodes felt draggy or boring.
The acting of the characters whilst great, I could not be completely engaged. I think this was a stylistic choice by the author who decided to write a plot driven story not a a character driven story. This is why many characters save for the female lead felt very one note for example the mom was supper annoying that’s it, the grandmother was super evil that’s it. The back story of the ghost was tragic but somehow when it was being played out the scene did not land.
Having said that there was a fairy talesque vibe to the story. The folk practices were sometimes fun to watch and the cinematography was awesome. We usually don’t talk enough about the technical aspects of drama making, but to me the most fabulous job was done by the camera/ cinematography crew. There was a very solid technical team behind it. And I wish more people realised how great the people behind the camera could be.

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Infuriating classic

Wow. I finished this show, I cannot believe it. It took me 2 months (with a little break in between), and I can say.... it was a rollercoaster of emotions.

the good:

- The music slaps so hard, it should not be THAT good. The OST for this show was absolutely amazing, one of the best I dare say!
- Lee Min Ho looked adorable in this show. I think he was like 21 when this aired, and he looked so cute and handsome (despite some of the terrible clothing and his curly hair lmao)
- Woo Bin. I feel like the poor guy did not have any lines until Jan Di went to Macau lmao. He deserved some more screentime because I found him so funny with his random English phrases lmao.

the bad:

- The show was 25 episodes long, and it definitely could have been a little shorter. I got tired of the antics in the last couple episodes.
- Ji Hoo. I am a Ji Hoo hater first and foremost. I do not understand the hype around this man at all. I never liked him, from start to finsih I disliked him. He just kept being too close to Jan Di, even when she was with Jun Pyo, which was super annyoing to see. Especially when he visits her in the fishing village, and he tells her he can't live without her... boy, she is in this fishing village with a broken heart, what are you doing? BE QUIET. He gave me the ick.
- Jan Di's parents. They were so annoying and delusional
- Jun Pyo's mother, obviously. The woman was a complete loser and stalker. Literally pretended like her husband died too, like wtf was that? I hated seeing her smile in the last episode. Also, her double standard?? Jae Kyung was basically Jan Di in rich and privileged? Otherwise, both girls had similar personalities: outspoken, bubbly, thick-headed, outgoing. But anyway.
- Jae Kyung. I liked her at first but my dislike grew stronger once she decided she would move in with Jun Pyo while Jan Di was working as a maid. When she asked Jan Di to her room, showing off her wedding dress, that was when my hatred grew stronger. JK told Jan Di that she would not give up on Jun Pyo, but her means were unfair and annoying. Literally asking Jan Di "Did you not think of me as a friend", but then basically showing off her privilege and wealth.
- Whatever that plot with Yumi was in the last episode lmao??
- The bullying here was far more terrible than in "Meteor Garden" since our F4 had a cult-like following of boys and girls, and these people just decided to joint-bully whatever student. Physical/Emotional abuse/assault and even attempted murder, like ??
- the styling was terrible. Why were these high schoolers dressed like grandpas :(

Overall, the show is cult or whatever, but it was so exhausting to watch it. It had its good moments but there were too many wtf moments. The OST deserves some Grammy's though!

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No, just NO

OMG! So, where to start...?
So imagine, you have a finacee and that fiancee tells you, that he has to have s** with another woman for a whole year in order to get rid of his nightmares...what do you say? You say YES of course, because you are a stupid angel....you do NOT leave him, you do NOT scream and shout, you do NOT tell him to get therapy, NO, you say YES.
Ok, so at that point he already knows, that he can do whatever he wants - and I promise you, he will! The next step is, that he moves in with said mistress. You still say YES. Then, he invites you to a lovely trip to PARIS - but - he takes the mistress with him. You still say YES! On that trip, he spends his time with the mistress, not with you and, he shares a room with her, not with you! You still say...well of course, angel and whatnot! At that point you decide, to move in with him and the mistress - absolutely only logical decission you could make...eyeroll....BUT you are NOT the only one, that moves in with the fiancee, the mistress and you, there are TWO MORE women!!! So now you see your fiancee rotating 4 women....he sleeps with you and with the mistress and you see him getting cozy with the two other women at the same time on the sofa, where they give him a nice intimate massage.....YOU STILL SAY....well....YES, honey, thats ok, honey, if you need this to get rid of your nightmares, honey! The absolute highlight is, when the mistress ruins your wedding.....but still.....
So you have endured all this just to be pushed down the stairs and die.
Well, well, well, what a great drama!
I wasn´t even interested in the ML and FL because I was like "What the duck" the whole time because of the SFLs stupidity!!!
If you see this as comedy and can laugh - like me - because that whole thing is just laughable from start to finish, go on. If you are not, do not waste your time.

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You can’t beat the system, but you can try

I say this every time but it’s so much harder to put into words how you feel about something you love than the opposite. I don’t know why that is true for me, but I’m going to try my best.

This show is so spectacular. I’m so glad it shines a light on something I rarely see talked about. It is obviously a follow-up to the previous season and it doesn’t hesitate to get right into the cliffhanger it left the viewers off on.

This show is not an easy watch, hence why the rewatch value is not as high. Its deals with extremely dark topics and while it has its lighthearted moments, this season doesn’t have as much as the first. I think that was for the better though considering we really get into the systemic oppression and how prevalent it is this time around. Despite not being easy to watch, it is all the more worthwhile.

The abuse of power in the South Korean military and how the government plays a role in that is highlighted in this season and really makes the viewer think. An incident may be singular to a specific base, but the system that built the environment that caused said incident has a lot of the blame to take. This is what I think is one of the overall messages of the show. The system is what is flawed not the people put into it.

The other message I believe this show has is that even if you can’t beat the system, you can damn well try. And try as hard as they can these characters do. None of them are perfect, each making their own mistakes along the way, but that is what is driving them to do better. I understand some people didn’t like the lack of justice by the end of it, but this show hasn’t sugar-coated anything before, and they definitely aren’t going to now. The true reality is that a few people can’t take down a decades long way of doing things especially when backed by the government. It’s their willingness to try that matters.

This show is undoubtedly more so about the people that make up the system than anything. The deserters, the ones pursuing them, the ones left back at the base. All of them have a part to play.

The cast in this is once again fantastic. The main four were just as good if not better than last season. Seeing Junho’s progression as a character was amazing and Jung Haein acted his ass off. Koo Kyuhwan was also great, especially when we meet Hoyeol again and it’s clear he has been greatly impacted by what happened last season. I really liked that the characters of Park Beom-gu and Lim Ji-seop were given more screen time and depth this season. Both of the actors who played them respectively were great. The actor who played Kim Ru-ri was also superb.

The guest cast was also amazing. My love for Choi Hyunwook is strong, but he was genuinely really good here. Definitely the darkest role he’s had thus far in his career. But the real standout for me was Bae Nara as Nina. He absolutely broke my heart and was the story that for me was most emotionally impactful.

The ending of this season was also a tear-jerker but in a bit more of a positive way. I don’t see them doing another season, despite Junho still having a year left of his service, I think they said what they needed to say and will leave it at that. The purpose of this show is poignant and I hope everyone whether they liked this show or not at least comes away from viewing it with that in mind.

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Dear gawd, who directed this dumpster fire?

You know a series is on rough ground when once you see three of the characters on the same screen - you know you can fast forward through their whole scene and not miss a thing. My guess is that they are the comedy relief but, they are so bad it becomes near unbearable. You worry for them.

Liked three - maybe, four, of the characters. And, the overall story wasn't bad. I only stuck with it through the end to see how it all finished. It's a shame in rom-coms - characters can't disappear. Truly, what was that long red haired girl even there for? Ugh.

The doctor is in the room. He knows he is allergic to alcohol and for comedy's sake - they serve him champagne and put him in an embarrassing date situation. They risk his health and his life for laughs. That should tell you everything about this series.

This might be something you can almost pay attention to why you are cleaning. Background.

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Numbers: A Decent Watch, Though Not Without Faults

"It was good, but it had the potential to be even better."
The revenge drama set in an accounting firm, may not appeal to everyone. Personally i found it challenging to understand many of its scenes and terminologies, especially if you're not familiar with the commerce field or accounting. However, those with knowledge in these areas might enjoy it more.

The core plot is straightforward, the ML's father figure commits suicide (later revealed to be murder) due to injustice, leading him to set on a path of revenge. Unlike typical action packed revenge dramas, this one is more business driven.

The show has its both positive and negative points .

What I liked:

1. Acting: The performances of all three lead characters and the supporting cast impressed me. Particularly, SML Han Seung Jo and the main antagonist Han Je Kyun delivered standout performances. The seasoned ensemble actors also gave their best.

2. Production value: The drama boasted excellent production value and the budget was put to good use. It even gave me vibes reminiscent of tvN/SBS dramas rather than MBC dramas.

3. Background: The drama's setting in an accounting firm was a refreshing change, as there are only a few dramas based on this field.

4. Twists: Each episode's cleverly implemented plot twists kept me eagerly awaiting the next episode.


What I disliked:

1. Story/Writing: Although the plot and background were promising, the execution fell short in helping viewers fully comprehend the complexities. Compared to other dramas based on fields like medical, law, bank, police, esport etc this one proved more challenging to follow. It would have been better if the writers had ensured clarity for a broader audience.

2. Characterization: While the male lead Jang Ho Woo's character was decent, I couldn't emotionally connect with him. Additionally, the idea of a high school graduate successfully working in such a prestigious accounting firm seemed implausible. His constant stroke of luck when solving problems didn't feel believable. On the other hand, female lead Jin Yeon Ah's character was disappointing and even some minor supporting characters carried more weight in the plot. Jang Jisoo's character felt more like the actual female lead of the show.

In conclusion, the show has its own pros and cons, which may influence your enjoyment of it.

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Beyond Ghostly Encounters: Revenant Shines Light on Human Evils

Revenant, the much anticipated comeback drama from the critically acclaimed writer Kim Eun Hee, known for works like Kingdom and Signal, delves into the depths of human greed rather than relying solely on traditional horror elements.

The first episode left me underwhelmed, expecting something like The Guest, but it lacked scary moments. As the show progressed, I gradually grasped its true essence and the message it sought to convey. Instead of focusing on evil spirits, the writer expertly exposes the horrors that lie within human beings, the darkness that surfaces when desires and greed take control.
The drama raises the question, Are humans any better than evil spirits? Unfortunately, my answer is no.

Throughout the series, we witness the sacrifices of innocent children by the male lead's grandparents, resulting in their own children paying a heavy price for these malevolent acts.
While revenant may not feature numerous terrifying or chilling moments, it excels in showcasing the evils hidden beneath the facade of human existence.

From the very first episode to the last, the show's storytelling captivates the audience, luring us in with compelling twists that keep us eagerly anticipating the next episode. It undoubtedly secures its place as one of the best currently airing horror thrillers.

Kim Taeri's performance is nothing short of exceptional, as she impeccably portrays the conflicted Sanyoung, desperate to understand and eliminate the evil spirit to save those around her from harm. Equally mesmerizing is her portrayal of the malevolent spirit Hyangi, making her character's transition captivating sight.
While the both male lead characters of Yeom Haesang and Lee Hong Sae may not have impressed me as much, they failed to create any big impact on my mind. I had loved Oh Jung Se and Hong Kyung's performances in previous dramas but here they were OK.

Kim Hae Sook's portrayal of Hae Sang's grandmother Na Byung Hee is a great addition, delivering a standout performance, especially in Episode 11. Here she is even more wicked than her previous character from Under The Queen's Umbrella, sparing neither her son nor husband from her malevolence.

In conclusion, Revenant captivated me by skillfully narrating the tale of evil residing within human hearts, ingeniously intertwined with ghostly elements.

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What was this?

This was probably the whackiest of C-Dramas I have watched until now. I have to admit I am more into K-Drama, but like the occasional C-Drama because they are so unashamedly...unashamed. Romantic, OTT, CEO's are evil and they mostly end in a wedding, which I love. Also, I am a sucker for the "bad-guy-falls-in-love-with-good-girl-and-is-less-unbearable"-Trope. I watched this because I saw a clip on Twitter and unfortunately that scene was in Episode 1. Still, it was strangely magnetic.

What I disliked:
- The make-up was so bad. ML looked like a Vampire, and he is extraordinarily handsome, so it was difficult to make him look bad. Kudos. The FL was very beautiful but in every situation perfectly made-up.
- Acting was super stiff, only the bad second SML and the Mom were credible IMO.
- Storyline was too unbelievable even for me and I liked Dramas like Crash Landing on You and several escapist dramas. ML changed from Red Flag to lightest green in 2 episodes and was too boring after that for me. And I like Green-Flag-Guys, like Ryan Gold, Ri Jong Hyeok, Jin Moo Hak and the sweet guy from Hidden love.
- Far too much into silly Making-territory.
- FL seemed to be an intelligent woman and was sold as such but behaved incredibly silly and immature in so many situations. It's a pity, she could have been a great character with better writing, IMO.

What I liked:
- ML was really good as an ass...e CEO and the Main Couple was so hot for it. Believable and really...hot.
- ML looked great, even if the acting was not to my personal taste. He ist lovely to look at, minus the Make-up and with disheveled hair. I wondered if he is short sighted, bc of his unnerving stare.
- Good kissing
- The Office Team was nice.
- FL did not speak with a squeaky Micky Mouse voice and dressed nicely.

It has very mixed reviews, so try it out, if aforementioned topics don't bug you.

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The Longest Promise is worth the longest wait

For a xian xia drama lover, The Longest Promise is really a treat. This drama is made with utmost love and sincerity. The 2 years preparation before shooting made a big difference. Each scene is like a piece of art. Everything is perfect from cinematography, CGI, storyline, casting, songs and costumes. The effort that the production team took is evidenced by shooting underwater. I mean most drama would just CG it . You will appreciate it more when you watch all those BTS. There were too many memorable scenes.
Xiao Zhan's acting is exceptional. Besides the fact that he looks like an immortal, his acting in emotional and fighting scenes are on point. His role is a priest raised in seclusion so he had to be serious and restrained most of the time. But he managed to display a bit of naughtiness and playfulness especially when he interacted with Zhu Yan. I like the fact their romance is subtle and gradual because it is more believable that way. You cannot expect a priest to be suddenly all passionate right? I grew to like Zhu Yan's character because throughout the drama her character showed growth. This is my first time watching Ren Min so I am pleasantly surprised such a young actress can display a solid acting skill as unrestrained courageous princess of the West. The supporting actors, actresses and even the child actors were good too. I love the non conventional story line with the open ending that stimulated so much of discussion online. The pace might be a bit slow in the middle but the last quarter of the drama is explosive. I super enjoy the fighting scenes which were very well shot and choreographed. This drama will remain unforgettable for a very long time and I will rewatch again for sure.

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After watching tones of bl a gay reality show was highly needed

It's so amazing to watch them
All gorgeous man looking for love
They are the cutest ?❤️
I have watched season 1 so I was very excited about season 2 and as expected it's more interesting then the first season.
All the men's are perfect and gorgeous they don't look any less than celebrity ?
They are so pure towards their feelings which I admire the most
I have always wanted to watch a queer reality show and here it is
It's totally awesome I hope they don't stop this and keep on producing more and more season
The way the whole show is set up it's just so amazing ??

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