Reviews

Flawed journey to common ground

Li Xian + hometown + modern drama, as Meet Yourself fan, these three keywords easily bring me to watch. The main premise of these two drama also quite similar. But the core is different.

Will Love in Spring tell us a story of two lovers with dark past. Their life collide a bit when they were young, so they have fond memory of each other. But essentially they just start knowing each other in their adult life. At the point when they already have established personal and professional life. These two falling in love and find a way to unite their vastly different life. It's a journey to find common ground. Their journey is not a wholesome, fairy tale one. It's messy sometimes, with impulsiveness, with misjudgement, with mistake. But that's the point of relationship, the journey to understanding.

They also bring us to a story about death and life. Coming from the nature of ML's job and FL's circumstance. They also bring us to a journey of understanding. About dream, about reality. About joy and sorrow. About past, about future. About ego, about humility. I really appreciate this drama for bring a real struggle without sugar coating it.

They tackle taboo topic in a very honest way without making it overdramatic (except the last scene, that one remind me that this is just a drama). But at the same time, I find this drama not really have THE climax. Quite flat at the end.

I'm not fond of the main characters, but doesn't mean I hate them. I find them not relatable because we have very different set of moral compass. But I find them interesting, a realistic take away of a life that so different from mine. I have sympathy for them. Li Xian and Zhou Yu Tong acting are so natural and organic. The rest of the cast acting also very good and their characters have depth and their own story, feels alive and real. My favourite characters are Grandma Lin and Uncle He. So I must click the spoiler button to tell you how cruel this drama to me ㅠ.ㅠ It's bittersweet, but I forgive you writer...

Sometimes this drama also give you a lot quotes from books and movies, some people may love it, some may hate. It can be sound preachy or you may love it for all reference it throw. Personally, I enjoy the reference dumping but find the dialogue not really natural. The cinematography is good. Beautiful sceneries, colour grading that suitable for the moods, interesting angle shoots, nice songs.

Overall, it's a good slice of life drama.

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"The world has changed." "But people don't change"

Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard was an uneven but entertaining movie about a mischievous Taoist sorcerer who battled monsters in 16th century Korea and 500 years later. A magical flute that can control the monsters was at the center of a battle between good and evil as Woo Chi and his trusty sidekick Cho Rang Yi attempted to put the monsters back in their gourds.

Woo Chi enjoys bringing attention to himself even when he’s doing it for a good cause and also likes tweaking the noses of the rich and powerful. Armed with magical talismans he performs amazing tricks all of which are frowned upon by his master and sidekick. Rang Yi appears human but in actuality is a dog who can also take the form of a horse. One night Woo Chi crosses paths with another Taoist master, Hwa Dam, and three bumbling shinsuns. These shinsuns are the immortals who accidentally released monsters imprisoned in a heavenly realm by losing track of time while Pyohundaeduck played his magical flute keeping them under control. When the monsters escaped, the flute was contaminated with evil spirits. Both it and Pyohundaeduck fell to earth. The flautist lost his memory and disappeared. Hwa Dam and the shinsuns are searching for the flute. Woo Chi in on the hunt for a bronze sword that will help him become more powerful. After Woo Chi’s master is murdered Hwa Dam and the shinsuns blame Woo Chi and lock him into a painting along with Rang Yi and half of the broken flute. 500 years later the shinsuns release Woo Chi when Hwa Dam is unavailable to fight two dangerous escaped monsters.

Kang Don Won was entertaining as the cocky sorcerer, without his charisma this film would have fallen flat. Yoo Hae Jin is a pleasure to watch and always brings his all to every role even when playing animals. Kim Yoon Seok gave a delightful menace to Hwa Dam. And three competent character actors took on the Three Stooges of heavenly beings. Despite being the FL, Lim Soo Jung wasn’t given much to do until the end.

There was plenty of action both magical and down and dirty fighting between Woo Chi and the monstrous rat and rabbit and their human forms. Wire work abounded and Woo Chi sustained hits even a sorcerer shouldn’t have gotten up from. The CGI was rudimentary more often than not, even for 2009. I didn’t have a big problem with the mediocre CGI but I did have a problem with the editing and lapses in narrative. Some of the story was needlessly confusing and contrived. The actors and action managed to smooth over the ragged seams most of the time.

Though a romance was awkwardly inserted, it didn’t work well for me. This was more a story of a sorcerer and his dog. While Jeon Woo Chi was a lighthearted magical romp, its failure to tie several narrative elements together kept it from casting a spell over me.

3 May 2024
(7.25)

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A Bit of a Drag

Based on reviews as well as being recommended by other reviewers who has somewhat similar opinions of other series, I was super excited to embark on this one. And while I can still force myself to continue watching due to it potentially getting better, there's just nothing intriguing enough to keep going even after 10 episodes in.

There's no real major flaw to highlight and there was quite some potential of being a unique undertaking of "royalty" in the beginning. Instead of the usual elegant and noble demeanor of royals , it was quite interesting to see the more "normalized" relationship with leaders that weren't born into it that type of restriction/upbringing. Although they did take it a bit too far and some scenes were just awkward.

While there were many great actors and characters in the series, the one that I just couldn't bring myself to like was the main protagonist, Xu Feng Nian. Even if his character was supposed to "pretend" to be narcissistic and spoiled (and despite them trying to paint him as some sort of kind soul deep down who refuses to kill anyone), he still comes off strongly as a narcissist and is quite abusive to those closest to him for that matter. His level of intelligence isn't believable enough either for it to balance out. As for the plot flow, while the story does move along with setting changes and introduction of new characters, it also somehow feels circular. There's too much emphasis on Xu Feng Nian and not enough on the supports. There's a lot going on but it really isn't going anywhere. So for these two reasons, I decided to do the drop.

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AMAZING

An amazing thriller-mystery kdrama with a spark of romance. The cast on ?. They served their roles perfectly!!!
(Note: some people dont like the age gap between the actors and say the FM doesn't have chemistry with neither of the MLs. But they really DO HAVE CHEMISTRY. Dont forget we are talking about a thriller drama not just a melodrama)

Seung-jo really made me hate his character (husband).
Taehoon and FML deserve a happy ending.

The plot twist in ep 14 ???. WHAAAAAAT? My poor Taehoon...

(Personally the only thing i dont like is the unexpected pregnancy. I hope it's a lie the Fml made up in order to punish the killer and her husband. It would be such a good twist)

I recommend it even if some people find absurd the Fml (because of the age). Give it a try!!!

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Relatable teenagers discovering sexuality in a fairy tale with LGBT+ characters

With a police investigation for the possible murder of a "Rose Garden College" student, 'Hit Bite Love' introduces the viewer to a story that follows six teenagers who decide to break all the taboos and learn the real truth about love, pain and growth.
Directed by Jakkaphong Pachara (Yuan), the daring series adorned with sexual scenes revolves around three couples with Shokun (Woraphon Charoensuk - Bigboss) as the protagonist and main narrator.
The plot of the Thai romantic school drama comedy could be described as a modern, youthful fairy tale with LGBT+ characters, although in this case, the prince has been replaced by an attractive student council president of a high society high school named Matteo (Alan Campana), who likes to enjoy the pleasures and dangers of BDSM, and Cinderella is played by a music-loving boy who has just broken up with his partner, because he wants to have a romantic relationship that is not secret, like the one you have experienced until now.
After experiencing a tumultuous romance with Ken (Napolpong Sooksombut – Pure), a star player on the basketball team, Shokun decides to put an end to the toxic relationship because he does not feel satisfied: Ken is afraid to publicly acknowledge his sexuality and has condemned him to only having sex secret and hot in the locker room, while appearing to be heterosexual.
Shokun will be captivated by the attractive, seductive and also very intimidating Matteo, a young man with a strong narcissistic personality, who will take advantage of Shokun's innocence, candor, broken heart and desire to be part of the music club, to force him to participate. with him in his erotic games or else he would expose his sexual encounters in the showers.
The scriptwriter Orachat Brahmasreni (Poy) has created a narrative text that, in addition to faithfully portraying the concerns of adolescents in any current society, with their fears, their dreams and their lack of experience with life, also represents some of the elements of the usual love fables, but with an impressive change: it proposes a world that is more than a story, but a nightmare, with regard to the affectivity and sexuality of its protagonists.
The image of the attractive and lucky prince will soon crack when we learn, at the same time as Shokun, about Matteo's sexual tendencies, dominated by sadism, submission and violence (controlled, of course) and his inability to maintain a "normal" relationship with other people. All of this is enhanced by Shokun's doubts and insecurities, who has not yet maintained a full loving relationship, despite having had sex with another boy, which makes the difference between the two more extreme.
Obviously there is attraction between the two, but Matteo has a secret that Shokun is not prepared for: he wants Shokun to be his submissive, while he would be his dominant.
Shokun's innocent and infatuated world will be shattered when he discovers that he is blackmailed by someone who hides a dark and shadowy face, sexual inclinations dominated by sadism and submission. Matteo will try to introduce Shokun to his sexual and emotional reality, while Shokun, surprised by Matteo's peculiar erotic practices, will seek to find out the reason for his tastes and his way of being. But what they both don't know is that the descent into hell that involves immersing themselves in rough and sadistic sex will make love emerge.
The story of Shokun and Matteo could be considered a "sui generis" homosexual urban fable in which some of its most sordid elements are enhanced. But don't be scared..., in addition to whips, handcuffs and other instruments of domination-submission typical of BDSM, 'Hit Bite Love' demonstrates how love can change people by making them grow spiritually.
As he develops feelings for Shokun, Matteo will not hesitate to stop being dominant and become submissive, fearing that Shokun is not ready. And Shokun agrees to be subdued by Matteo because he prefers pain and even humiliation before leaving his world. Until finally, Matteo chooses to give up BDSM, because all he wants is to be Shokun's boyfriend and have him forever by his side. Don't you think this is a beautiful declaration of love?
The series also manages to narrate some scenes that undoubtedly trigger the lividity of the person who watches its six episodes.
That the script is not perfect, that the performances are not perfect. It is true, but the series aims to explore various concepts associated with teenage dramas, such as sexual diversity, sex, the power of friendship, forgiveness, understanding, personal growth and the transition to the adult world.
And not from the perspective of millionaires and heterosexual college girls in liberal and cold Manhattan, as 'Fifty Shades of Grey' proposes, but from the perspective of homosexual teenagers from a country where homosexuality is considered taboo and the marriage between people of the same sex.
With a plot thread similar to that of the Spanish series Élite, created by Carlos Montero Castiñeira and Darío Madrona, 'Hit Bite Love' shows other important elements, such as betrayals, revenge, double standards, family violence, gender violence, homophobia, internalized homophobia, toxic relationships, teenage sex, feelings of guilt, attempted suicide, seeking refuge in social networks or the interest in exposing people's privacy to public ridicule, among others. Is any of this foreign to today's teenagers?
The other couple is King, Shogun's friend and president of the drama club, and Burger (Vasin Traiprakhong – Jur), a transfer student at the school, who will find themselves immersed in a tender and fun relationship based on a misunderstanding.
And finally, we have the couple made up of Saint (Natthapat Meesuk - Tae), Matteo's friend and vice president of the student council, and Hida (Vittawin Panichtamrong - Vic), who have become brothers not related by blood, when the former's mother gets married. with the second's father. They will both be united by a relationship that goes beyond these family ties.
The breakup of Shokun and Ken, the arrival at Burger's school as a transfer student or the strengthening of the bond between the stepbrothers Hida and Saint will end up causing a series of events that, with a police investigation as a backdrop, will shake everyone's lives those involved.
Another element to highlight is the music. The cast itself is the one who sings the songs that make up the soundtrack of the series. In this way, we will enjoy Jur, Tae, Newyear, Pure, Bigboss, Vic and Alan, who perform "Hit Me Bite Me", a song composed by Alan Campana, and Vic and Tae singing "Oxigen", a song written and scored by Vic Vittawin Panichtamrong.
The photography, by Suchart Makhawimarn, helps make the three romantic stories believable. For its part, Suriya Kaewkrong's editing achieves a fast and quite adequate narrative.
Sympathizing with Shogun is easy. Wanting to protect and love him would be anyone's wish. I found Matteo attractive and the most interesting character. He is a seducer and that is transmitted beyond the series itself. There are many points in your way of thinking that I do not share. but that has not been an obstacle for me to identify with him. Alan Campana manages to show two faces with his character, a more tender and romantic one that manages to win our affection, and another more cynical one, in which his dark secret is revealed, but he achieves a sincere and complete transformation when he falls in love.
The rest of the secondary characters appear poorly developed, their only function is to help the development of the plot but they are not important and in that sense I would also have liked them to be given a little more relevance or to delve deeper into the parallel stories, especially in the case of the three girls in love, one with Ken, one with Burger and one with Saint.
It is regrettable that, seeking to visualize diversity on screens, the series portrays queer characters in a stereotypical way, due to their continuous shouting, arrogant and uneducational acts, and mood swings. I am referring, obviously, to the character played by Bookko Thanatchaphan. At https://mydramalist.com/756465-firstly-like-you I publish a review of 'Firstly Like You', a film that addresses the romance of Burger and King, and in which I expand on the topic discussed in this paragraph.
I suppose this is a matter of taste, but from my point of view the erotic scenes are treated very well, they are explicit and descriptive, and they leave little to the public's imagination, but the creators do it in a wise and restrained way, and They do not use indiscreet, foul-mouthed or ordinary gestures, actions or words that may be unpleasant and annoying.
The limits to which Shokun accesses in Matteo's sexual games are at a low level and this results in the scenes not being very strong within what they could have been, which on the other hand the viewer can appreciate if he does not share this point of view.
This is a series that you either love or hate. In my case, I love it, because I consider that 'Hit Bite Love' is an addictive fiction, full of life, rhythm and color, that fulfills its central objective: to entertain in a big way while making us reflect. The Thai drama neither has nor understands taboos. Novel and transgressive, in its frames you can find sex, nudity, very crazy scenes, a truly explosive level, but nothing is gratuitous or obscene.

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In my Top 3 Kdrama

Re (re re) watching this drama and still enjoying as much as the first time (or even more !).

2nd of my Top 3 (My Mister 1st and The Glory 3rd),

First time I watched IOTNBO it really was a « good surprise » because synopsis didn’t sound that good for me so I didn’t expected a lot from it.
And woww !!! I was wrong :/ it was so great ! I loved Go Mun Young character. One of my favorite FL characters and soooo well portrayed by Seo Yea Ji, stellar acting / impressive !
Oh Jung Se is also very talented. Of course other actors (Kim Soo Hyun, Park Gyu Young, etc…) are very good too.

I love everything in this drama:
- Amazing casting/acting : as explained above main characters and support roles are portrayed by very great and impressive actors. IOTNBO was the second or third Kdrama I watched and these talented actors made me want to watch more !
- Writing/Story/Plot: Sometimes emotional, sad and/or funny the storyline is consistent and allows actors to shine. Real characters you feel close to. Interesting relationships (love, friendship). Credible development of lead characters and support roles.
- Direction/Filming : same as the storyline, direction/filming allows actors to show how great and talented they are. A great work ! (IOTNBO atmosphere made me think to Tim Burton)
- OST : even OST is very good. A lot of songs are now in my playlist (In Your Time, Wake Up, I’m Your Psycho, In Silence, Facing The Fate, For Joo Ree, etc…)

To summary IOTNBO is for me a Masterpiece I love and recommand ! It is the perfect drama to (re)watch when you want/need to have a good time !

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Asking yourself "Why am I watching this" over and over again

To some people this show was great. However, this show took a turn and did not recover.

It started out great. I loved the way they did flashbacks and integrated it into the current story. But then the story just created unnecessary drama that was not needed. For example, ML has an adopted son. They created the drama so his mom came back, and the kid (the mom abandoned him as an infant) decided to go live with her and ML gave the child back (WHY). A second example was the ML and FL going back to Africa (WHY). The drama started with them in Africa there was no reason to go back.

The ML gets injured and his family hides him from the ex-wife (WHY). ML has amnesia and does not remember their reconnecting and their journey (aka the whole drama) again WHY. I really struggled to finish this drama and ended up reading about the last episodes online because I was frustrated and annoyed.

This drama could have been so good if they made it shorter and took away some of these plots.

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Was It The Real Ending?

I don't know what I expected from this drama, however.... it wasn't what I watched. I don't know if this story exceeded or met or fell below any or all expectations that I had, though it did fall in the range of "extraordinary" and "thrilling".

This story was very well cast, at first I wasn't sure if a few cast members were the right choice, though the more I continued to watch, the more I was proven wrong. I haven't watched the first series of "Kurosagi" yet, even though I've planned to, so I'm not entirely sure how this remake matches or creates its own story with the original. The music really added to fueling up anticipation for the next episode so much that I'm still looking forward to more stories of Kurosaki, Yoshikawa, Kashina, and everyone else!

I'm curious about the role of the professor at Yoshikawa-san's college, however; I feel like that part could have been played up a bit more, though I can see why it wasn't toward the end. While there didn't seem to be any cliffhanger, per say, the last episode definitely left me wanting more! I'm glad there wasn't a strong romance side story within this show, I think it would have made the storyline a bit complicated and maybe even a little cheesy.

I really liked watching Hirano Sho's take on his character. Seeing his personality come through and the way he portrayed such strong, intense, scary emotions and roles in each episode was really spectacular. I wonder If this show was tough; emotionally, mentally, or even physically. There are a few parts I wish they drew out longer, or gave more definition too, including a few characters, too.

This show really is one of a kind, keeping in mind I haven't seen the first series that started it all. Watching the cast put their unique spin on each story was fascinating. Though I do have a few questions left, I'm not disappointed with how things turned out, so much as I feel like there should have been more to the story; it sort of felt like, toward the end, that there was a rush on time or something like that. I think this show has great rewatching power, and it is most definitely one of my favorites of Hirano Sho's. I think he was supposed to be something of the "main cast/headliner" for this series, although I don't think that would be fair to the rest of the cast selected; everyone was truly incredible! It was nice to see a new side of Hirano Sho, and a few other actors I like, too.

This story definitely leaves you thinking!

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Breaking Boundaries with Heart: A Review of '23.5' – A Sapphic Triumph in Thai Drama

"23.5" isn't just a Thai GL series; it's a beacon of inclusivity and warmth in a landscape often fraught with stereotypes and biases. As I reflect on its profound impact, I find myself compelled to share my heartfelt review of this precedent-setting show.

In a genre where representation often falls prey to sensationalism or marginalization, "23.5" stands tall as a testament to what can be achieved with sincerity and heart. The creators have crafted a narrative that transcends cultural barriers, inviting viewers of all ages and backgrounds to join in its heartwarming journey.

What truly sets "23.5" apart is its ability to entertain without relying on tired tropes or sexualization. As a 46-year-old who grew up with content that often failed to capture the depth and beauty of sapphic love, this series feels like a breath of fresh air. For once, I can sit down with my family and immerse ourselves in a story that celebrates love in its purest form, free from the burden of unnecessary sexualization or problematic storylines.

At the heart of "23.5" lies a narrative brimming with endearing characters, heartfelt moments, and a genuine sense of wholesomeness. Ongsa and Sun's journey from misunderstanding to friendship to love is portrayed with such sincerity and authenticity that it's impossible not to be moved. Theirs is a love story that resonates deeply, not just with LGBTQ+ audiences, but with anyone who has ever yearned for connection and understanding.

The cast and crew of "23.5" deserve immense praise for their commitment to authenticity and representation. From the stellar performances to the impeccable direction and cinematography, every aspect of the series comes together to create a truly unforgettable viewing experience.

As I eagerly await the possibility of a continuation in "24.0," I can't help but feel hopeful for the future of LGBTQ+ representation in media. "23.5" has proven that stories of love and identity know no bounds, and I can only hope that more creators will follow in its footsteps, embracing diversity and inclusivity with the same grace and sincerity.

In a world often divided by fear and prejudice, "23.5" serves as a reminder of the power of love to unite us all. May its legacy endure as a beacon of hope and acceptance for generations to come.

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Novel adaptation that is so great idk what to say

Usually I am not attracted to this kind of genre (time travel, scifi) because I do not want to be sucked into overcomplicated plot, but derailment managed to make it not only enjoyable, but also one heck of a ride.

Decisions of every characters were all humane and logical. Plot is progressing perfectly the first 20 episodes pocketed, not even a single thing being dragged. But the rest... I find them boring so I skipped most of it. As expected with this kind of genre, there are parts where the narrator was unreliable and there are a lot of red herring, but that's the beauty of scifi genre. We dont know who to trust.

The acting of the main leads are all very commendable as well. Lin Yi really embodies the perfect dark-outside-but-sweet-inside gentleman with his microexpressions and subtle gesture. I would say the screenwriter has certain moodboard and idea dedicated to his character here! Liu Haocun also steals the spotlight, it seems like she could turn on and off of her tearduct in a blink of an eye. She is a pretty crier, i want to comfort her when she cry.

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