Seda0001
Flashback Soup
I just read some of the comments and reviews and I couldn't believe everybody is praising this series, so I feel like I have to remind you to care about quality and never lower your standards even for a BL.
STORY: The idea of the story is actually the best quality of this series. but unfortunately the writers obviously lack the knowledge and attention span to develop believable characters and flesh out the story by creating the necessary plot points to execute the original idea into a series. Therefore the final result feels more like an unfinished project that needs to be retouched much more to become a script that can be turned into a multi episode TV Series.
ACTING: The two leads are both fresh newbies, which would be perfectly OK if they could act. But none of the newbie actors in the series have the ability to deliver a decent performance. Since this is a very dramatic story with an intimate theme, most of the narrative development is based on the actors' ability to convey the deep and complicated feelings of each character through their facial expression and body language. Yet, Mr. Title as Nut can only present the audience with two emotions. This number is even lower for Mr. Man as Phob. He can only give us a bright eyed toothy smile, while in the sad scenes he has nothing to offer.
EDITING: While the review section on MDL ignores editing as one of the main qualities to be discussed on a review note, it is actually one of the more important characteristics of a drama. For The Yearbook, though, Editing is its weakest point. It seems like the director ordered the editing staff to create the perfect Soup for each episode, by taking all the material they have and mix it up as they please. The result is a bunch of consequential scenes scattered with nonconsequential flashbacks that seem to just play on repeat endlessly.
Another super annoying editing issue is the, again very much repetitive, songs that keep playing while the characters are looking at a distant scenery or taking forever to deliver their lines. This technique is nice for a special part in the drama, but over using it made me long for a moment of silence. At some point I was tempted to throw my earbuds out.
Directing: Don't get me wrong. I think Mr. Mean is a talented actor. I actually liked his performance in LBC 2. And there is nothing wrong with expanding his career if he likes directing. But, a TV series at this length is too much for someone who is at the initial stage of his career. I think it would have been a wiser decision if the producers found a more experienced director for this series, and let Mr. Mean and Mr. Benz work as co-directors. Personally, I think the best path for a young director is to start by testing his hand at making a few short films before going for larger productions.
OVERALL: For those who are considering to watch The Yearbook, I can't guarantee you won't drop it halfway. I have read in the comment section that the movie has less flashbacks so maybe you'd better watch that version.
STORY: The idea of the story is actually the best quality of this series. but unfortunately the writers obviously lack the knowledge and attention span to develop believable characters and flesh out the story by creating the necessary plot points to execute the original idea into a series. Therefore the final result feels more like an unfinished project that needs to be retouched much more to become a script that can be turned into a multi episode TV Series.
ACTING: The two leads are both fresh newbies, which would be perfectly OK if they could act. But none of the newbie actors in the series have the ability to deliver a decent performance. Since this is a very dramatic story with an intimate theme, most of the narrative development is based on the actors' ability to convey the deep and complicated feelings of each character through their facial expression and body language. Yet, Mr. Title as Nut can only present the audience with two emotions. This number is even lower for Mr. Man as Phob. He can only give us a bright eyed toothy smile, while in the sad scenes he has nothing to offer.
EDITING: While the review section on MDL ignores editing as one of the main qualities to be discussed on a review note, it is actually one of the more important characteristics of a drama. For The Yearbook, though, Editing is its weakest point. It seems like the director ordered the editing staff to create the perfect Soup for each episode, by taking all the material they have and mix it up as they please. The result is a bunch of consequential scenes scattered with nonconsequential flashbacks that seem to just play on repeat endlessly.
Another super annoying editing issue is the, again very much repetitive, songs that keep playing while the characters are looking at a distant scenery or taking forever to deliver their lines. This technique is nice for a special part in the drama, but over using it made me long for a moment of silence. At some point I was tempted to throw my earbuds out.
Directing: Don't get me wrong. I think Mr. Mean is a talented actor. I actually liked his performance in LBC 2. And there is nothing wrong with expanding his career if he likes directing. But, a TV series at this length is too much for someone who is at the initial stage of his career. I think it would have been a wiser decision if the producers found a more experienced director for this series, and let Mr. Mean and Mr. Benz work as co-directors. Personally, I think the best path for a young director is to start by testing his hand at making a few short films before going for larger productions.
OVERALL: For those who are considering to watch The Yearbook, I can't guarantee you won't drop it halfway. I have read in the comment section that the movie has less flashbacks so maybe you'd better watch that version.
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