pinkcupcake
Definitely not what's expected–keeps you leashed on like a pleading puppy
This is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But it's a Binge Show for sure.I have to categorize this drama more of noir/thriller/mystery rather than something fun-loving. Reminds me of moods in American drama Euphoria but in a completely different setting and storyline. Of course, with all these dramas, you have to take things with a grain of salt. This story definitely exaggerates the lives of influencers and celebrities, and there are some scenes that are quite fake imo; however, it doesn't destroy from a drama that continues to live up to the quote, "never know your next move". It truly was astonishing.
Honestly, I really wasn't expecting to be so hooked with this drama, as I've actually been hearing pretty bad reviews in general before I started, but I'm honestly so glad I finished it until the end. Not quite happy with the ending, just felt like it could've been a bit more rounded off and finished cleanly, but I guess it also helps keep people guessing the aftermath in a sense.
The best thing about this drama was how much it hooked you in. It grabs you, keeps your attention in-line and doesn't let go. And it's like this, Every. Single. Episode. I tried, I really tried taking breaks but it just wouldn't! My eyes would wander off but my brain would continue to think. That's how you know you're gripped in this never ending game.
AKA there is not a single wasted moment in the storyline. Literally everything either takes your breath away or wants you indulging for more, whether it be the main characters or other people. Hence, the writing is impeccable. The only frustrating part, for those who are all in about FL and ML, would have to be a tinge of lack of romance scenes (i.e. there was only one kiss scene throughout this whole show) between the FL and ML. But it's also understandable, since it's not the main point.
All in all, HANDS DOWN TO THE ACTORS/ACTRESSES, literally every. single. one. of them. You have to take credit for loving them, hating them, being suspicious with every character no matter how attractive they are. The cast really made the plot and storyline exponentially better. Period.
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Part 1: ASTOUNDING–Part 2: DRIFTED OFF....
Hands down to the emotional rollercoaster throughout the drama, the actors are stupendous. I'm like so doubtful I even saw emotions through my screen due to the splendid performance from ALL SIDES. Each character had their moments, each actor/actress, whether good or bad, all had their moments of splendor and disgust, which is what makes them all SO. MUCH. MORE. REAL. Unpopular opinion, I personally LOVE the Qing Princess character for being the most complex and well misunderstood/understood character. Her character has the equivalent complexity as the male lead which I find is a great accomplishment to the storyline. I wish script writer would add more characters like hers, it just makes a cliche storyline so much more intriguing and with more plot twists––better yet make a character like her the main character, aka strong FL (omg I would so watch that!).However, I have to say, with the extremely high expectations from Part 1, Part 2 definitely drifted off. Although not as believable, was still enjoyable to watch. There were points there I find were a bit incredulous, and some things didn't quite make sense or they didn't quite round it off, especially with the character Ryang Eum, but overall the performance of each character was what ultimately made this drama an enjoyable ride.
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This review may contain spoilers
Cast Carries yet again!!! Beautiful Zhao Li ying and Lin Gen Xing - UPDATE
(REVIEW UPDATED)From Princess Agents to Legend of Shen Li, ZLY and LGX did it again!
Although the storyline took a bit to pick up, hands down CAST creates everything. The atmosphere, the heartwarming and dissonance scenes, everything, love and chaos, altogether meshed in one big pot of STORY. Absolutely in love with how the cast just carries through and through! You just can't help but follow through each character's (even side characters) story and their development, even if you hate them, the scenes worth grabbing attention.
(Will add more once finished!)
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UPDATE:
Finally done!!! OMG very very heartwarming ending, loved it. Yes I love that one of my fav characters got their own little 'special' at the end.
One thing I love about this storyline, although it had a very slow start and action only picked up around ep 19, everything flowed accordingly and nothing went amiss, no background storyline or even side characters were left out. The story was extremely coherent which is just so so great. A very satisfied ending and revival.
Each character showed their own display of strengths and weaknesses and IMPROVEMENT. There wasn't a single character left behind just because they were unimportant or side characters, even the back stories had me gripped like velcro. I'm especially invested in the backstory of Shen Li's parents.
Hands down to the cast, casting all amazing people and (Shen Li's parents actually fits ZLY, like I see the resemblance hahaha)
All in all, amazingness from ep 19 onwards, with a cherry on top. <3 ONTO THE NOVEL NOW
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This review may contain spoilers
Shin Hye Sun did it again! BUT not a great storyline/ending
Imma keep this short and simple.As an avid drama fan, a great drama includes multiple factors. With modern production companies and high quality VFX renderings, the cinematography is great; however, for a fantasy drama as 19th life, the storyline felt incomplete. I haven't read the webtoon so I am only judging based on the storyline of the drama.
The storyline started out great, entailing the details and explicit things that a viewer should know while keeping us guessing for more. I was genuinely excited. The flirting and butterflies within the drama--hands down to Shin Hye Sun for her AMAZING ACTING! Arguably one of the best actresses, and hands down to every moment of her, laughing, crying, FLIRTING, SCREAMING, ugh, just unbelievable performance. Have always loved her ever since Angel's last mission.
HOWEVER, there are things that got me so confused as to why it was even important or relevant, which sucked because the drama started out SO GOOD, and just crashed within a matter of minutes.
**MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD [read at your own discretion]**
My main questions have to do with why the uncle even got involved in such a thing as the car crash, and his excuse was because he loved the mother??? I'm sorry but why are we supposed to care? Either the writer didn't flesh his character out enough or there's something I'm missing?
Another thing is why did the guy in the first life help FL to that extent? I get that they wanted to paint a twist and act as if he was bad or something, but tbh there wasn't really a real villain, nothing exciting about the villain. Usually, I would salute an antagonist for portraying something morbid or wicked, but this dude really didn't have any of that. He was just there watching the people around him, then giving hints to the FL and didn't explain anything else. And all of a sudden the FL feels like she has so much to do with him, which she did, but it was so short lived, I really didn't get the point of him at all.
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Anywho, I loved the cast and the acting, the character developments for the main leads were excellent. Just there were quite a few things that I felt could have definitely been better executed/elaborated. It just didn't feel complete and suddenly, which is quite sad, I felt like became a waste of time. :(
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SO complicated but WORTH ABSOLUTELY EVERY MINUTE
If you're into a time traveling love story with thriller (murder mystery) & high teen (school) moments, WATCH THIS.I know, I know, I've been there, being recommended this drama for quite some time, and I finally gave it a go! You bet, each episode completely HOOKED me, like no other drama––please see my list of dramas, you'll understand when I give this a VERY HIGH rating, it's NOT out of nowhere. What can I say other than this drama has completely exceeded my expectations with astounding praise and lingering emotions. Just can't express it much more than to HIGHLY GREATLY RECOMMEND IT!
I have to admit, I'm not one to watch taiwanese dramas, therefore I may not be as well acclaimed with the taiwanese industry for television for the more recent years. But from my experience, you really can't get a more complicated storyline without having such a well written plot, and still keeping us hooked EVERY SINGLE EPISODE––I was on the edge of my seat/holding my breath towards the end of each episode, let alone almost EVERY SCENE. Just impeccable.
I'm sure everyone else has said the main parts about what this drama is about and who's in it, etc. Frankly I didn't know any of the actors coming into the drama, so I had no clue what to expect. But one thing I knew that felt like a REALLY good drama to me was the villain. If I absolutely abhor them and cannot get enough disgust from them, they did their part right, and that is A GOOD DRAMA.
This is not your typical romance. It's not even a typical storyline. All I've got to say is if you want something with you gripping yourself to your heart and your seat, and still having a perfectly well rounded ending and with nothing, absolutely NOTHING amiss, either character wise or storyline wise, cinematography, you have to give it a go.
At this point I might just be begging you. Trust me, trust all of us writing these reviews. You won't regret it!
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