Reviews

Very suspenseful

This drama had more twists and turns than a corkscrew! I must say, corruption isn't my favorite thing to watch, but I watched an episode every day on the treadmill and didn't have to fast forward at all. I would not recommend binging it. You kind of have to let things marinate after you watch an episode. It was very dark, with pervasive tones of grays and blues, which was effective to the feel of the story. A note of warning, don't get too cocky and think that you know what is going on, and who the bad guys are, because you'll probably be wrong!

Acting: Lee Sung Min as Taek Rok - I've only seen him in a couple of guest roles, and he was fabulous in this. A tired, overweight, chain-smoking, disheveled, grizzled cop just trying to move to retirement without making waves. That quickly falls by the wayside when he gets blamed for the murder of a co-worker. Then the cat and mouse game begins. There was something sad yet endearing about his character. His loneliness was almost palpable.
Jin Goo as Jin Han - he was very good. I really liked the developing bromance between him and Taek Rok.
And, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Go Gyu Pil as the dormitory manager. I love him, and he brought some levity into all the seriousness.

Somewhat of a cliffhanger ending, since there is a season 2. I hope that we get a different case rather than a continuation of the case from season 1. I'm ready to move on.

My only minor quibbles:
1) Why do the same people always play the bad guys? There are a couple of the actors that when I see that they are in a drama, I know that they are corrupt.
2) Oh, so many names to keep straight! I finally just decided that as long as I knew what was going on with the main characters, that's all I needed.
3) The psychiatrist was under-utilized. That whole storyline didn't make much sense and was never completely fleshed out.

Do yourself a favor and watch this. And, if possible, watch it in a dark room, because some of the scenes are too dark to make out faces or what is going on.

Read More

Just a drama filled with all the cliched romantic scenes we have been watching for years

I am a Wooseok enjoyer so I decided on giving the series a try. As a fan of Wooseok, I am really happy he got his limelight through this show. But other than that there is nothing new or unique about this drama. Maybe the romance works well for new kdrama watcher. I am just so tired watching the show. The writers really didn't care to explore any other characters in this show. Except ml and fl, every other character are just there as a decorative purpose. The writers were hyper focused on fl saving the ml that they didn't even care about any character development in any of the characters in the story. Just bad writing and cringey fl doing random things leading her in trouble always. Don't know what's the hype abt this drama. Anyway Wooseok lets grab those awards for this year because he really was born to do this role and he played his part really well as always. Could have given better story for the sml, but unfortunately he is also just there to make the ml jealous and for decorative purpose.

Also, The fl's disability got forgotten and after few episodes it felt like she/the writers just ignored it. The writers should have made fl taking time and relive her past like Twinkling Watermelon show. The story and the characters were so shallow which is the main drawback imo. The show had two great lead actors (BWS and KHY) with good side actors but never fully used their potential.

Positive things
1. The comic timing and lil expression variations of BWS and KHY were so good.
2. The chemistry of the leads.
3. The first 5 episodes were really good.
4. Music/OST

Read More

Boo

I really don't have much to say other than the fact that this bored the shit out of me. It wasn't bad, but it's definitely not memorable. I guess I would say it teeters on the line of being decent and also not good. Skimmed through the last three episodes and only kept watching cause Stan Huang looks incredibly too sexy with a goatee.

Let's Dive In.

Again, not much to say cause not much happened. It's a very simplistic story of a man who writes and a man who cooks who live in the same building and fall in love. The End. Stacks are very not stack-y, and objectives feel lost somewhere in the middle. But I don't hate this only because the leads are adorable (Stan Huang knows how to rizz) and I'm intrigued by that out of everything. The paper origami was the best little tidbit about this -- super creative and now I wanna learn.

The chemistry between the leads is good, not groundbreaking, but good enough that I didn't drop this. However, this series just drags which is kind of bad cause this is only a 10-episode series that lasts about 20 minutes. The waiter and the best friend and the ex all just feel like filler and again, nothing feels like genuine conflict cause you know that the leads will get together in the end, so who cares? I skimmed through the last three episodes and still got the jist of what happened. They do kissing great though (Only in these last few eps, the ones before were ehh).

Ratings:

Story:5/10 - boring! not bad, just draggy. Romance is decent and yes Stan Huang makes this score go from a 4/10 to a 5/10 for simply existing (that man is too fine).

Acting: 8/10 - It's okay, nothing groundbreaking, and they did good.

Music: 6/10 - Didn't pay it much attention but it wasn't distracting.

Recommendation Value: 2/10 - Watch simply because Stan Huang is the sexiest man in Tawan. Otherwise, forget this series exist (like I will).

Read More

Three Blind Mice.

The Chinese title of this drama 天行健/Tiān Xíng Jiàn comes from a profound phrase 天行健, 君子以自强不息 from the ancient divination classic I-Ching. Loosely translated, it means in a dynamic world, gentlemen should constantly strive for improvement; to be virtuous. In the context of this drama, it alludes to how three very different individuals struggle for relevance against the overwhelming tide of history.

This production's rich historical and cultural texture has been widely praised by history buffs. The nostalgic opening sequence seamless weaves in scenes from the drama with real footage from that era. It is set in early 1911 which was a pivotal time in modern Chinese history. By then, impoverished by civil strife and foreign incursions, the Qing dynasty was on its last legs. While clearly the time of emperors was ending, China's struggle with what form of government it would adopt went on for almost 40 years. In this story, the court is divided between conservatives (Imperial Household Department) and reformists (Prince Qi); both of whom are trying to preserve some form of constitutional monarchy. Tongmenghui led by Sun Wen (Sun Yat-sen) are rebels who want to do away with the monarchy and go down the path of a democratic republic. The powerful Beiyang Army, (then led by Yuan Shikai, the unnamed fisherman) was a deciding player in Chinese politics right up to 1949 and beyond. At the time, foreign powers including the Japanese, actively meddled in Chinese domestic affairs. Thus while there are indeed too many factions, this accurately depicts the landscape at the time

There is a lot to unpack as this is equally a plot and character driven story. A map leading to a fabled treasure is stolen from the palace. The various factions realize that such a fabulous treasure could make a meaningful difference to the success of their cause. Thus begins a mad dash of a treasure hunt that entangles three individuals who are disenfranchised by the changing times: the personal guard of the deposed Guangxu emperor, a swordsman in the age of guns and a Confucian scholar after the abolition of imperial exams. Can these three blind mice grappling with their own outdated ideals be trusted to see the bigger picture and ensure the treasure ends up in the right hands?

Men Sandao was once the emperor's guard who dared to love a princess. He was imprisoned when the emperor's Hundred Days' Reform failed. Twelve years later, he is freed on the condition he retrieves the fabled treasure that is desperately needed to shore up the national coffers. He is pitted against Zhuo Bufan, the leader of the impoverished Rongtian sect who seeks the treasure as a means to make his sect famous. His nemesis Dagu constable Wang Jialuo doesn't care about the treasure; he just means to hunt down and hold Zhuo Bufan and the Rongtian sect accountable for nine murders in his county. They are all flawed and obsessive characters who are smart yet frustratingly intractable in their beliefs. Even Men Sandao, the fullest and most intriguing character remains true to the only two things that matter to him from the beginning to the end. Similarly, Zhuo Bufan refuses to ditch his cause until his cause abandons him. The greatest zealot is Wang Jialuo, who is the product of everything wrong with the Confucian exam system; a tradition so steeped in rote learning over original thought he is utterly incapable of operating outside of the Qing code.

Men Sandao is Qin Junjie's best role to date, one he delivers with a mastery that matches the stagecraft of the many veteran actors in the cast. The way he habitually held his hands as if they were still in shackles moved me as much as the forlorn tear he shed at Guangxu emperor's grave. His natural chemistry with the rest of the cast elevated the character interactions all around. Despite their conflicting agendas, Men Sandao shared a mutual respect and understanding with Zhuo Bufan and was also able to manage the more difficult Wang Jialuo. I laughed uproariously at how he turned Lucky into his lackey and enjoyed his spirited debates with Liu Lin. I could tell he saw a lot of his younger self in her and their relationship was the one I found most moving. All of the roles that mattered, including the villain roles, were well executed with many memorable scenes featuring Prince Qi, Cunqing and Zhong Haichao. Lin Anjing and the Japanese faction were the only notable weak links in an otherwise stellar cast.

There is never a dull moment in this well-written screenplay that seamlessly weaves in multiple interlocking character stories into the action and adventure. Told with dark humor, wit and irony, the narrative does not shy away from blood, violence and sudden death. Though a bit a bit heavy on slow motion and close ups, the action scenes are intense and well shot; with the occasional dose of bizarre humor. I laughed hardest at Wang Jialuo's Tarantino like foolish bravado in the face of certain death and his absurd resurrections. But laughter aside, I really didn't much care for him or Zhuo Bufan and their romantic entanglements. The only characters I rooted for were Men Sandao, Gege, Liu Lin and the ubiquitous Lucky with his uncanny knack for popping up just when needed. Though some characters got endings they didn't deserve, the ending overall is quite fitting and not surprising. This is ultimately a dark story, reflective of the times. One of the better dramas of 2024 for me that deserves more attention. I rate this 8.5/10.0.

Scroll down for more detailed spoiler ending thoughts.









MAJOR ENDING SPOILER COMMENTS



I found both Zhuo Bufan and Wang Jialuo's ending very fitting and oddly justified. Make no mistake, Zhuo Bufan was not a great guy. He betrayed many jianghu codes of conduct in his quest for greatness and sacrificed his sect members with callous indifference. It is no wonder they turned on him. He arguably would have never really given up were it not for the fact that the Rongtian sect was no more. He also conveniently forgot he promised Wang Jialuo that he would settle accounts with him and tried to ride off into the sunset after abandoning the treasure hunt. There was so much blood on Zhuo Bufan and Huo Qin’s hands including Wang Jialuo's shifu and the poor, heroic Tan Xian that there had to be consequences. Of course Wang Jialuo was no better and ultimately also betrays his true love and his beloved Qing code in his obsession with closing his case. It is both ironic and fitting that he was his own judge and executioner. It cracked me up that Men Sandao went after him in case for the tenth time he didn’t really die dead.

The most undeserved deaths were those of Lucky and Liu Lin. They represented the best, most idealistic and hopeful voices of their movement and the future their world had to change for. Their deaths were not necessary and far more cruel and pointless than telling us that Men Sandao and Gege never reunited after Fujian. In any case, there were no lasting good outcomes for anyone during that time in history. Any survivors would have had to face an ugly 40 years of civil war with Tongmenghui ultimately ending up on the wrong side of history. So it has to be enough that they fought the good fight that led to the movement’s finest moments. RIP Liu Lin and Lucky Hao Han who was definitely a hǎohàn/好汉/good guy but just not that lucky.






X

Read More

The long wait was worth it!

So, I had been waiting for this show since my Jo In Sung obsession developed...sometime in 2021, I think? And Then when it came out, I don't know, it had just been too long, I wasn't invested anymore so I didn't touch it for months until my mom said she had seen a random scene from this show that she thought was cool and she wanted to watch the rest so I just recently binged the whole thing with her and I have to say, it was worth the wait. It's true. My only investment in this show was initially JUST Jo In Sung and no one can blame me for it because he is like a rare orchid that blooms every five years or something. So I've been frustrated and desperate BUT the show is very well-made and the teenage characters are sooooo cute, omg! I thought teen boys could only be mildly threatening or absurdly annoying. Who knew they could be adorable sunshine bunnies?!
Anyway, the little cutesy friendship between the two teen characters made me so endeared and as the plot developed it became more interesting (And also I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for Jo In Sung to show up...ㅠㅠ).
My only issue with this show is too much violence and not enough Jo In Sung. It was disgusting how much violence I had to endure. I got bored with it, too. So instead, I spent a good deal of the fight scenes scrolling through my phone, while being stuck to the screen during the romance parts. It was just too much. Very gross. Sure, the CGI work was amazing and I applaud the crew for that (the production overall was amazing) but gratuitous violence is so tacky.
The acting in this show is amazing. Obviously, with heavyweights in the main roles, no one was expecting anything less but even the younger cast members were great. They brought the characters to life and I was shocked to find out one actor is 26 years old?! I thought he was 15! :o Everyone was so well-casted and they acted their butts off.
I'm not even a superhero story fan. I don't like marvel and don't watch any of their stuff. But I enjoyed this one. Maybe because it was so fundamentally different from a superhero arc. However, the plot felt a little like a prequel, to be honest. So I can imagine a more traditional superhero plot in a potential second season. This felt more like an espionage family drama; if the families in the espionage had superpowers.
So between the endearing character relationships, an interesting and engaging plot, amazing casting, and a very professional production, this show was basically perfect...except for too much violence. And not enough Jo In Sung.
The music was also very good. It was scored like a film, very ambient but never distracting. Just as it should be.
Will I rewatch this? No...except for rewatching Jo In Sung's scenes. :) And I've already done that...a few times!
I recommend it if you can handle violence and if you like espionage plots, romance, and a bit of mystery.

Read More

A rollercoaster of emotions?

This drama, first started out quite interesting to watch but first episodes maid me cry like a whole lot, It started off quite tragic and started to melt my heart. After a few episodes, I got bored of it as in the FL. No hate towards her just not really a fan of how she portrayed her character when she was a teen(immature). Other than that, I started this drama for the ML watched his drama SGNS and CG this one he keeps dying but will survive in the end and have a happy ending which is what I’m hoping anyways! But overall, this drama made me quite emotional and I didn’t even get this emotional when watching TW but this drama it cute, annoyed me a bit but I watched it ongoing so future viewers who binge watch this prob won’t feel annoyed like me lol. I know so many people who dropped this drama after like 5 episodes, but I still carried on for BWS and I’m glad I did because it just got better every episode. The stalker is what pissed me off to the brim seriously so many kdramas just have to have a flipping stalker in the way. But the stalker isn’t as scary as the one in MD lol that was over the top. I would say the ratings are quite high for this drama tho I mean it’s not THAT good too the point I’d watch it again like no, made me cry too much and the FL annoyed me like hell. Idk maybe the ratings are like high cause of BWS. But I mean it’s well deserved for the acting of both main leads and the support roles (Im sol’s bro and bff) the crew did a good job. Really loved the grandma too. Not too bad of a drama just wouldn’t rate it that high I mean overall I would give it idk a 9 for me Ik it’s like not much of a difference from 9.1, but it’s not that good of a drama, I mean if your in the mood to absolutely cry your eyes out and be pissed at the writer’s decision of leaving Tae-song’s unrequited love untouched then yeah perfect drama for you! I also enjoyed the OST too BWS outdid himself in this drama by debuting his first ever songs!!Although I didn’t like the FL character as a teen I would say I enjoyed her more as a mature adult she went through a lot and even lost her love in the process to protect him which I found very heart touching. After watching 15 episodes, I’m ready to finish this drama once and for all without missing it but I guess I’ll miss Im sol and sun jae. Rooting for them in the season finale!?

Read More

"Star and Sky: Star in My Mind" – A Heartfelt Journey of Young Love and Self-Discovery

Plot Summary:
"Star and Sky: Star in My Mind" is a Thai BL drama that explores the intricate relationship between two young men, Daonuea and Khabkluen. The story begins with Daonuea, who has been harboring a secret crush on Khabkluen since high school. When they reunite in university, Daonuea decides to confess his feelings, setting off a series of events that challenge both characters to confront their emotions and navigate the complexities of their relationship.

Main Characters and Actors:

Daonuea (played by [Actor's Name]): Daonuea is a sensitive and artistic student whose courage to confess his feelings drives the plot. His character's emotional depth and vulnerability are key elements of the story.

Khabkluen (played by [Actor's Name]): Khabkluen is charismatic and confident, yet his interactions with Daonuea reveal a more introspective side. His journey of understanding his own feelings forms a crucial part of the narrative.
Overall Impression:

"Star and Sky: Star in My Mind" is a heartwarming and engaging drama that beautifully captures the essence of young love and self-discovery. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, making their evolving relationship both believable and compelling. The series successfully blends romance with moments of humor and drama, creating a well-rounded viewing experience.

What I Liked:

Acting: The performances by the lead actors are commendable. They bring authenticity and nuance to their roles, making the characters' journey emotionally resonant.

Storyline: The plot is thoughtfully crafted, with a good balance of romance and personal growth. It keeps viewers invested in the characters' journeys and their evolving relationship.

Cinematography: The visual presentation is beautiful, with carefully composed scenes that enhance the storytelling. The use of color and lighting adds a layer of emotional depth to the drama.

Music: The soundtrack is well-chosen, enhancing key moments and adding to the overall emotional impact of the series.

Areas for Improvement:
Pacing: Some episodes might feel slow-paced, particularly in the middle of the series. A more consistent pacing could help maintain viewer engagement throughout.

Supporting Characters: While the main characters are well-developed, a deeper exploration of the supporting characters could add more depth to the story.

Recommendation:
"Star and Sky: Star in My Mind" is a must-watch for fans of the BL genre and anyone who enjoys a heartfelt romance. The drama excels in its portrayal of the characters' emotional journeys and the complexities of their relationship. Its strengths lie in strong performances, a compelling storyline, and beautiful cinematography, making it a highly recommended series for those looking for a touching and well-crafted love story.

Read More

lol

I’m currently on episode 5 but my oh my I’ve laughed countless times already, not really a Lu Si fan although I’ve watched a few of her series, and this is by far the most enjoyable I’ve watched, side characters are hilarious, and very interesting.

I’ll update more once I get to watch and finish more episodes, so far this has been really enjoyable to watch very entertaining, and very light to watch so far.

The ML looks good when he doesn’t smile, but when he does I’m reminded of a chipmunk I don’t know why, and he looks so different from his straight face and his smiling face.., I’m quite in awe with his height difference with lu si, it’s sometimes awkward hahaha but their banting is quite funny and amusing, I was laughing out loud especially on episode 2 haha.

UPDATE: currently on episode 9, slowly losing interest… might drop it soon. I don’t know why but it’s getting hella boring, and cringey for my liking…. :-/had to skip a few minutes too in some episodes

Read More

disappointing

I was looking forward to this. I had been constantly searching for when it was releasing. I really enjoyed the book and series. Love Syndrome is about Itt and Day. there wasn’t enough of them. I was hoping to see Neil and Nick’s story come to life, but Nick wasn’t even in it. If there is a second part, I would still watch it though. the actors did a fantastic job I just think the script needed some work. probably would have been better a series. it could have gone into more detail with the story line. so happy to see Neil being played by the same actor. this was the third recast for Day and Itt but they did a great job. overall it was a Huge letdown!!

Read More

This story is so good and very interesting story
Donot feel bored watching first few ep keep watching every ep them u will know how good this drama is .I hope everyone of u will like it.
From my point of view,I really like this drama specially zhang linghe (ml) and Bai lu (fl) their chemistry and later romance is damnnnnn!!!!
Other actors their roles all are perfect everything is so smooth
I hope they will lead another drama in near future.
Zhang linghe 's acting is so damn hot I cannot resist it feels like he is a real villian hehehe
Love from Isha?

Read More

Too condenced

Not sure why no one thought that maybe, just maybe, squeezing close to 70 anime episodes into just 5 for live action might not be such a good idea...

This unfortunately feels more like a messy recap than a complete adaptation, one that placed too much focus on the beginning and speedrushed the end

I understand that when adapting an anime to live action some changes need to be made, be it due to time constraints or to make it work on camera, but too many key moments that would've added to the worldbuilding and character developement were brushed over and lost thruout this production

I find it to be quite a pity, this series had everything going for it, adapting a beloved anime, beautifully done and faithful costume designs, a more than decent cast, Hiei was cast to perfection and i wish he would've had more chances to flesh out his character, close second goes to Koenma

Read More