Reviews

how can the first half be so good, and the second be so bad?

I loved the first half (before the time jump). I loved all the characters, the story, even the over dramatic mothers. and especially Yoo Junsu.

but after the time jump? it's like a whole different drama. the characters are not remotely the same ppl. even putting aside the fact that the older and younger actors look nothing alike, they're also very much not playing the same characters. did the actors sharing the same parts even talk to each other about the roles? and the worst part is what they did to Yoo Junsu. they made him such an arrogant jerk.

so, while, yes, I still have this drama a good score, that's because I fully endorse and think you should watch the first half. but once the time jump hits, consider it done.

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In the track of my heart, you are the only runner.

Lovely Runner it's undoubtedly one of the best dramas of 2024.

It has all the elements that make a drama a mega hit: comedy, romance, time travel, well written characters (both leads and supporting ones) and an engaging plot line that never bores you. Starring Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, adapted from the web novel The Best of Tomorrow by screenwriter Lee Shi Eun and directed by Yoon Jong Ho and Kim Tae Yub, the Lovely Runner team achieved a perfect execution in front and behind the scenes.

I think the true star of this drama it's the writing and on this I can't commend Lee Si Eun enough. I had already seen her potential in dramas like True Beauty but here she really manages to shine through a well crafted, smart and cohesive story with no loose ends. I'm incredibly impressed by her talent.

The writing was perfectly complemented by the directors's outstanding work in leading a film crew that was on every detail of each part of the story, in each timeline, never missing a beat. Always delivering their A+++ game. But there was also great work done from the directors part in helping the actors get the comedic timing exactly right, the more emotional scenes to deliver and the team work among cast and crew to be flawless.

This might be a big hit now, but it's actually a sleeper hit because the lack of promotion this drama had was embarrassing to watch and if it wasn't for the devoted fans, studio executives would have never realized they had a gem in their hands. So, Lovely Runner it's not only a great drama with a super fandom that really fought for this story, it's also becoming yet another prime example in the list of films and tv that achieved all of it by themselves because artists delivered nothing short of excellence.

On this point I can't ignore the incredible performances given by the entire cast. Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok are definitely the standouts, they stole the show, this is their story and the actors chemistry it's electrifying. But the way supportive actors would show up in a scene and push the story forward in a coherent way and even make it better, it's wild to me. The chemistry this cast had it's a rare feat for an ensamble cast and how they managed to transition seamlessly through different phases of their characters's lives and relationships when events, in each timeline, were changing because of the things our leads did they still remain truthful. So, not only the leads are well developed in this drama but also every single character that shows up, no matter how small the role is.

The best example of this it's actor Heo Hyeong-Gyu who has been working for sixteen years, playing very minor characters, finally having a breakthrough in the industry because of his role in this drama. And while his presence was prominent and important to the story, he barely had lines. So his entire performance is mainly based on micro-expressions or physical stunts.

I also fully expect the actors like Song Geon-Hee, Lee Seung-Hyub, Song Ji-Ho or Seo Hye-won to receive a lot of what korean entertainment industry calls "love calls" aka commercials, dramas and films, among other things.

Experiencing watching Lovely Runner alongside the fandom, waiting every week for a new episode, it's a big part of what made this drama so good. Healthy and good loving fun people, clowning, poking fun at our faves and crying at heartbreak. It's been a long time since I have been able to engage in this way with other fans and I am thankful for them, the cast and crew for all these amazing weeks of fun.

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Tomorrow's Best

Lovely Runner is based on a web novel titled Tomorrow's Best. I personally read the manhwa while the series is on-going I can see that they made some drastic changes from the story. The manhwa is less complicated compared to the series, but I like the changes they made on the story it actually adds up to the uniqueness of the drama. What I really love about Lovely Runner is that it never fails to make me laugh every single time. I like the balance of the show's theme it's a combination of comedy, romance, thriller, mystery and drama.

Aside from this the cast did so well that their acting felt so natural, all of them deserves to be recognised for their versatility and they played an integral part on the story. The villain did his job so well that I almost wanted to be included on the story just to choke this guy. I would also like to point out how I love Baek In Hyuk's character, he's the best wing man ever. Ryu Sun Jae would've been a forever simp without the help of this guy. I am looking forward to Lee Seung Hyub's future drama where he'll be the leading man, I bet he's gonna be a great male lead since he already showed his exceptional talent in Lovely Runner.

Kim Tae Sung's character is also my favorite from this drama, his character development is the most noticeable among them all. He unknowingly fulfilled his promise to Im Sol that he'll protect Sun Jae in the future. It's just kinda sad that we didn't get to see a glimpse of his back story.

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I’m not sure what to say about this drama that I neither love nor hate. Maybe it’s easier if I started breaking the parts I enjoyed. So what I liked:

1) Hirose Alice’s acting as the thirty-something year old woman who got a fresh start in life by entering a college to study what she missed out on a decade ago because of an unfortunate accident (apparently, she had quite a few of these). Her quirky expressions when she’s excited, and her stern face when she’s focused, were all captured on film.

2) The various characters living in a shared house. Their camaraderie, despite their distinct personalities, was refreshing and natural. They supported each other in their school work and their respective career paths. When there’s a disagreement, they talked it out or gave advice when requested, but mostly they listened to each other.

3) The inspiring messages the show imparts about not giving up, nor is it too late to pursue your dreams at any age as long as you strive for the path you created.

Now on the parts where I thought were disappointing:

1) I love noona romances, but the main pairing lacked chemistry. I’m not even expecting sizzling or hot-for-each-other attraction. But it wasn’t even lukewarm. Not to say Michieda wasn’t adorable as Taku, but it seemed like forced attachment on his part when paired with Sayako. So it was difficult for me to buy into their romance. All I see are two people who play a lot of rock-paper-scissors.

2) There are half-baked characters in the drama that don’t really serve a purpose for me, and are easily forgettable.

3) The time skips that flashed rapidly at the end. Are we supposed to believe that neither of them even attempted to contact each other during those years? I get it that both of them are doing what they thought it would be good for the other person, sacrificing their relationship so both can focus on their career. But if Shogo didn’t tell Taku that Sayako rejected him long ago, would Taku have gone back and looked for Sayako? And she’s no better at the end, postponing marriage until when she’s settled? Until what, she turns 50 and is too late to have kids?

Anyway, watching this drama is like expecting a firework display but ended up with just a birthday candle.

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Not life-changing but a good watch if you're into the friends-to-lovers trope

Mmm. What to say?
It's cute. The actors do a decent job, and they have decent chemistry. Some of their scenes are *adorable*, like I'm talking lovesick stares and forehead touches and all that jazz.
I think the series gets more and more mid as it progresses. I guess it didn't really make sense to me why they weren't communicating properly at the end, when they both knew they liked each other. They kept being dramatic and not talking and I was just like ??? Just fking tell him ??
Maybe this is just a cultural difference but in every Japanese BL I've watched it feels like the main couple don't ever feel fully comfortable around each other -- they keep talking formally and apologizing for everything and walking on eggshells not to offend the other. When they confess, it still feels as if they're both expecting the other shoe to drop. Then again, maybe this is my Spanish ass that's used to couples being wayy more affectionate.
Also. Honorable mention to Haruna, my man, my boy, he was trying to get those two dumbasses together by any means available to him and I love him for that. What a great friend.
I'd like to add that the ending was *so* open. So much so, in fact, that I didn't notice the series was over lmao. I want to know, how do the friends react? The family? The sisters?? This is one of the issues I have with couples getting together at the last minute --you don't get to see them after that, being domestic and all that. It's so sad. And it still didn't fail to give me whiplash, going from Natsukawa being confused to both of them openly declaring their love for each other. It happened so fast, didn't it?
Maybe I'm too cynical. Idk.
But yeah, that's that. It's a light series, easy to watch, and it won't wreck your brain or make you feel uncomfortable. But I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it or watch it again.

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May I know where I can watch this drama with English subtitles? Because I searched everywhere on the internet, but couldn't find the episodes to watch with English subtitles. Would be really helpful if anyone who knows where to find the episodes with English subtitles. May I know where I can watch this drama with English subtitles? Because I searched everywhere on the internet, but couldn't find the episodes to watch with English subtitles. Would be really helpful if anyone who knows where to find the episodes with English subtitles. May I know where I can watch this drama with English subtitles? Because I searched everywhere on the internet, but couldn't find the episodes to watch with English subtitles. Would be really helpful if anyone who knows where to find the episodes with English subtitles. May I know where I can watch this drama with English subtitles? Because I searched everywhere on the internet, but couldn't find the episodes to watch with English subtitles. Would be really helpful if anyone who knows where to find the episodes with English subtitles.

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A PURE GEM ヾ(◍’౪`◍)ﾉﾞ♡

Historical series "strong woman" with Hu Yi Tian as ML and Zhang Jing Yi as FL, with a touch of mystery/investigation.

+ a super cute CL, with great chemistry. One of Hu Yi Tian's best roles, where he abandons his "cold" or poker face appearance, and his micro expressions are brilliant. His fighting performances are impressive ヾ(◍’౪`◍)ﾉﾞ♡ I also really like Zhang Jing Yi (discovered in “Lighter and princess) who brings to life a fantastic FL.
+ All the actors are excellent and bring endearing characters to life. I really appreciated the Sen Huan & Sao Yao couple, very refreshing.
+ Coherent, realistic, intelligent story. No useless love triangle, no lasting misunderstanding... That's good!
+ Fast, skillful production (all the knowledge of Chu Yui Bun, distinguished director) with the right balance of suspense, action, romance. The slow motion effects on Yanxi's arrival scenes are excellent. No length in 40 episodes, it's rare! I enjoyed every scene.
+ Very good OSTs

SOME LITTLE FLAWS:
- the CGI is sometimes too obvious (somewhere low quality). For example, 2 small sails for a "cargo" boat, ... Also the number of dolphins following the boats, is completely unrealistic and spoils the effect.

=> A series that I will certainly rewatch with pleasure in a few months.
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A pure GEM !
Série historique "strong woman" avec Hu Yi Tian en ML et Zhang Jing Yi en FL, avec une touche de mystère / investigation.

+ un CL super cute, avec une great alchimie. Un des meilleurs rôles de Hu Yi Tian, où il abandonne son aspect "cold" ou poker face, et ses micro expressions sont géniales. Ses performances en fight ont impressionnantes ヾ(◍’౪`◍)ﾉﾞ♡ J'aime aussi beaucoup Zhang Jing Yi (découverte dans "Lighter and princess) qui donne vie à une FL formidable.
+ Tous les acteurs sont excellents et donnent vie à des personnages attachants. J'ai beaucoup apprécié le couple Sen Huan & Sao Yao, très rafraichissant.
+ Story cohérente, réaliste, intelligente. Pas de love triangle inutile, pas de malentendu qui dure ... ça fait du bien !
+ Réalisation rapide, habile (tout le savoir-faire de Chu Yui Bun, réalisateur émérite) avec le juste équilibre de suspense, action, romance. Les effets de ralenti sur les scènes d'arrivée de Yanxi sont excellents. Pas de longueur en 40 épisodes, c'est rare ! J'ai savouré chaque scène.
+ Très bons OST

SOME LITTLE FLAWS:
- les CGI sont parfois trop évidents (pas de grande qualité). Par exemple, 2 petites voilures pour un bateau "cargo", ... Surtt, le nombre de dauphins qui suivent les bateaux est tout à fait irréaliste et gâche l'effet.

=> Une série que je regarderai certainement avec plaisir, à nouveau, dans quelques mois.

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Tragically Beautiful

The cinematography, story, and music were amazing! However, if the leads, Zhao Yi Qin as Helian Xi and Shen Yu Jie as Feng Yuan, did not have THIS MUCH CHEMISTRY, nothing would have worked. It's because of them two together as fuqi that this drama became an unforgettable masterpiece. Sometimes, it's the characters that make the actors look good, but in this case, it's the actors that owned the production. I truly hope to see them lead another drama again but please, a happy ending next time. They were soooo good, I forgot that I was watching actors act in a love story. Helian Xi is one of the purest souls out there. The way he loved, respected, and cared for Feng Yuan was the sweetest sugar in the world. And Feng Yuan, the revelation was extremely well written and executed. They LOVE each other so much and had to endure so much pain to be together but in another place that they will no longer depart from one another ever again. Despite the controversial ending, I can't get over this short drama. Their tragic love story still lingers in my mind from time to time. A MUST WATCH!!!

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One of the Best BL Drama

This is truly one of the best BL Drama we have seen so far.
Funabiki Shinju wrote a wonderful depiction of true love in this BL relationship. It is one of the few times that I have seen where a same sex relationship is treated with dignity and respect, and treated just like any other relationship.
Additionally, the music is perfectly matched to enhance the scenes. They are not just underscoring the scenes.
It is beautifully filmed and the acting is wonderful.
Shout out to Yasukawa Yuka &Takahashi Natsuki as well!
Bravo!!!

★★★★★ out of 5

★★★★★ = A Masterpiece
★★★★ = Well Done
★★★ = Entertaining!
★★ = So...So...
★ = Forget it!

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If Mother/Daughter Dramas are you're thing, this is the one for you...

I loved this drama because of its heartfelt messages of love and family unity in helping to face the difficulties of life and family strife. These messages are conveyed in the story of Mai Chenghuan, who has dreams of excelling in her career, but has a well-meaning and controlling mother who gets in her way.

I think this drama hits home for many women, young and old, who've had moms like this. They work hard all their lives taking care of you and wanting what's best for you, but just can't seem to make the transition from raising their children, to being hands-off companions to their adult children. They get caught in the push/pull of what they believe will make their children happy instead of listening to what they actually need, making them horribly unhappy because they've grown used to being in control. This is where our story begins.

The mother/daughter leads are played masterfully by Yang Zi, as Mai Chenghuan, and veteran actress, He Sai Fei, as Liu Wanyu. These two actresses were phenomenal together. They took us into their tumultuous relationship, making us cry with their heart-breaking fights and making us cry again when they make up. They got their characters down pat and brought them to life on-screen. What an honor I can imagine it must have been for Yang Zi to work alongside such a talented actress that is He Sai Fei. I could see right off that she took all her younger counterparts to unimaginable heights. My hat is off to the director for guiding them all to go further in their performances. The ensemble cast were all wonderful as the Mai family. They felt like a very real family, supporting each other in good times and in bad. It is no wonder then that Yao Zhiming, wants so badly to be a part of it?

Xu Kai, as Yao Ziming, is the quiet loner who slowly becomes entangled with Mai Chenghuan and her family life. They both share a very important person in their lives and she is instrumental in teaching them that nothing is more important than love for family and doing what is right. She gently guides Yao to become more free and less transactional, employing the efforts of Mai Chenghuan in her endeavors. I was very impressed with Xu Kai's understated performance. He could be the cold CEO, but you could see that he had a big heart and that he was guarding it, not willing to give it away until he was ready. I appreciated that about his performance. He understood his character completely. That inner monologue was present and you don't always get that in less seasoned actors. He was alive, a rock for Chenghuan, but vulnerable at the same time. The rawness of his need for a family was palpable. All I can say is the noodle scene. Without giving anything away, that was the moment he won me over as an actor.

The weakest areas of the plot were at the beginning. The first few episodes felt disjointed and slow. I think the drama was still trying to find its footing and those first 12 episodes could have done with less cliches.

In a forest of Chinese dramas full of young, handsome romantic leads and cliche plots, this was a diamond in the rough because it doesn't just dwell on romance. There is much more going on and that is a good thing. Even the secondary romantic couple is well written and doesn't detract from the main couple or the principal situations. I highly recommend this one for viewers who like slice of life dramas, or want more going on than just the romance.

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Lovely

This drama was a breath of fresh air from the ever powerful, smart, nobody could plot against me leads from 98% of Chinese series.

It's rare these days to find leads who are naive, silly, immature, petty, sometimes dumb, make mistakes, live as true youthful individuals who discover themselves in a series of life and death situations and fooled by the biggest villains with noble masks.

The friendships and love relationships built in the first 25 episodes had depth and meaning. Their connection was beautifully written. They all were from different parts of the world yet they chose each other and protected one another as much as they possibly could with little that they possessed. They were kids who no one had faith in. Their words to each other were not sweet but their actions were courageous, admirable, genuine, and beyond the word love. The sacrifices to actions can't be described by words, you have to watch the drama yourself to feel and see. Episodes 26 to the end showed that the youngsters who would bicker all day, run around and play, lived care freely and happily had grown up into responsible, calm, and respected adults YET their hearts will forever be pure and connected.

Yuan Qi, Yuan Qi. It can't get any better with Wang An Yu as Yuan Qi. His eyes, demeanor, to aura was gentle, sincere, full of righteousness, warmth, and love. His love for A Yin never wavered, lessened, or changed with time. If anything, it became stronger, endless, and sweeter. This is a story about a boy who fell in love with a girl and did everything he could to protect her, make her happy, and stay by her side, forever. He chose her over the world without a moment of hesitation.

Zhao Lu Si as A Yin was heartbreakingly good. A Yin loved Yuan Qi unconditionally, no matter what, above anyone and anything else in the world. She was witty, humorous, sincere, caring, selfless, cute, persistent, good hearted, and a great friend. The way she followed Yuan Qi around, ugh, so sweet. No one can be A Yin besides Lu Si, no one.

Hong Yi and Yan Shuang, the second couple, are friends you can never find EVER again in any lifetime. They were the backbone of Gu Jin/Yuan Qi and A Yin/Feng Yin.

Anyway, if it's not your cup of tea, try again next year and again next next year. Sometimes, dramas just hit different depending on the time, but don't miss out on this one. It was pretty well written if you don't skip or skim anything. Even the villains were decent. I'll remember this drama for a long time to come.

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A Gritty Crime Drama

This drama is a gritty crime drama that delves into the dark underbelly of organized crime. Starring Ji Chang Wook, Wi Ha Joon, and Im Se Mi, the series explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the quest for power.

Story
The narrative is intense and fast-paced, focusing on the rise of a criminal empire and the moral ambiguities faced by those within it. The story is filled with twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The writing is sharp, with well-developed characters and a plot that explores the complexities of crime and justice.

Acting
Ji Chang Wook delivers a powerful performance as the conflicted anti-hero, while Wi Ha Joon shines as his ruthless rival. Im Se Mi adds depth to the story as a woman caught between loyalty and survival. The supporting cast is equally strong, bringing authenticity to the world of organized crime.

Cinematography
The visual style of the series is dark and gritty, perfectly capturing the harsh realities of the criminal world. The action scenes are well-choreographed and realistic, adding to the tension and drama of the series.

Music
The soundtrack is intense and brooding, perfectly matching the tone of the series. The music enhances the suspense and emotional impact of key moments, making it an essential part of the viewing experience.

Rewatch Value
"The Worst of Evil" has significant rewatch value due to its intricate plot and rich character development. Each viewing reveals new details and layers, making it a compelling rewatch value.

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"People cannot live alone. You need comrades."

Fermat’s Cuisine combined mathematics and French cuisine for an entertaining drama though one with a rather narrow view of success for most of the episodes. I could tell it was based on a manga from the male lead who was overly enthusiastic both emotionally and physically while everyone else played it cool.

“Less than perfect is meaningless.”
High school student Gaku gives up on math competitions when he realizes his skills are not extraordinary despite how much he loves mathematics. While Gaku is making lunch at a diner, Chef Kai jumps the counter to taste the food he’s prepared for the staff out of leftovers. Kai hires Gaku to work at his two-star Michelin French restaurant and pushes him to use his math to excel at cooking. The other chefs do not welcome the new favorite as they’ve seen many supporting characters come and go. Kai wants Gaku to become peerless and as isolated as he is, a problem for Gaku who has a tendency to draw out people and their strengths. Kai is hiding a secret that might push all of the chefs over the edge.

“Those who aren’t superior are the evil of this world.”
The concept of the drama was pushing the limits of believability. Kai hired the best chefs from around the world and used only the best ingredients. He spent more than he made and relied on special patrons to supplement the restaurant’s income. It was also difficult to hear over and over again that in order to be successful you had to be the best and be able to open the door to truth or else it wasn’t worth trying. If you couldn’t be the smartest mathematician, time to quit. If there was a chef better than you, time to hang up your apron or at the very least, go to work for that chef. Being the best meant being alone. Gaku was almost destroyed by the push to become “peerless,” as if that was some noble cause. In reality it probably rings true, but there so were so many big egos in the battlefield of the kitchen there was barely room for the pots and pans.

“The higher we reach, the more alone we become.”
Aside from the delicious looking meals the chefs whipped up, and there were many, the strength of this drama was the journey the Japanese chefs took to develop as individuals and as cooks. The international chefs were left in the background for the most part. Gaku, Kai, Ranna, Hotei, and Magoroku all had character growth, learning about themselves and how to collaborate and work with others. Their relationships were a rollercoaster ride of distrust, becoming comrades, distrust, and comrades again. The acting was a bit of a rollercoaster ride with some stronger performances and some weaker ones. I found it interesting that as much as Kai preached “The peerless have no one,” that he had enormous financial support. Most restaurants have narrow profit margins and somehow he was able to keep his open through the help of friends.

“Do what you love.”
Despite some of the over-the-top acting and relentless creative arrogance, I enjoyed this drama. Watching people make delicious dishes, even Naporitan/Napolitan with ketchup, is always fascinating to me. The camaraderie that developed between the kitchen staff was heartwarming as well as the road to bromance and culinary enlightenment. So, lettuce celebrate friendship, food, and math, but have a snack nearby because this drama will make you souper hungry.

1 June 2024

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