I Offer You My Congratulations

I’m lost for words, really. Several revises to the headline let alone the rest of this review. Come, have some tea, as this’ll be a rather long one. Bloody Heart is not like your typical Sageuk. I’ll repeat, Bloody Heart is NOT like your typical Sageuk. If you can come to terms with this, you’ve got yourself quite a masterful immersion here. I’ve become quite critical to much smaller things that this drama made me realize i need to readjust my metrics in scoring, as I’m not the easygoing kdrama newbie i was a while back. Don’t get me wrong though, Bloody Heart is without a doubt exceptional, just a clear setback from perfect with some out of place shortcomings;touch on those categorically with it’s highs.

Production

Everything along with everyone feels authentic, from the palace to the surroundings, outfits, atmosphere. An immediate pull into the world that’s brought to life in all of it’s beauty with masterful cinematography. Subtle camera language, gorgeous lighting and shades, outstanding backgrounds, brilliant use of events surrounding certain scenes that portrays what’s happening or foretelling what will happen visually. Your eyes can see just how much effort they put into this drama budget wise, especially when witnessing what’s being touched on next.

Cast/Characters

This, without a doubt, is the strongest aspect of what makes Bloody Heart sets itself apart from most dramas in this period so profoundly. You’re tossed into a periodic story where the battle of hierarchy and stability is at it’s peak. Populating this story are several morally grey characters with grey(er?) ambitions. Relentless prevention of tyranny, audacious survival, justification for the means to an end, seeking what and who’s best for the country, etc.

One may assume with a semi large cast such as this it would lead to unbalanced performances and devotion. I’ll be an addition to the many others that reassures that isn’t the case here.I don’t think my words alone can convince people of how astonishing these performances are. Maybe it’s just to get me out of creating an essay breaking down the admirable consistency behind Lee Tae’s pain and sorrow seen through his teary eyes alone constantly thanks to Lee Joon seemingly effortless portrayal of a burdened and vindictive king in the works of empowerment. The well executed body language of Hang Na’s character refusal and disbelief in the occurrences and motivations of the people around her. The strong reaffirmed voice of Jang Hyuk’s to portray his character’s desperation and confidence in his actions that were extremely high risk for the sake of his envisions of a better country. Park Ji Yeon’s soft and controlled delivery to display her character’s mask covering her unstable footing in the palace, wariness of being abandoned, personal judgements clouding the reasons behind her actions, and severe lack of reliable connections to ensure her place of solitude with mere visitations of those she misses and finds comfort in; in need of her power. Can you tell who’s my favorite? Unpopular I’m sure. I can go on with everyone else but I’d rather let some amaze you first hand and not drag my drool any further.

Now i admit, despite this being the strongest aspect of the drama for me , i do have my gripes. As minor as Han Na’s face on the brinks of shattering to express an adoring or natural smile in the earlier episodes. As unbearable as Ddong Geum’s fluffy and clumsy like frantic character being a painful contrast from everyone else in the palace. Matter of fact just throw that whole bamboo village away and it won’t inflict anything on the story besides giving meaning to Yoo Jung’s oh so fragile “I’ll handle it myself” demeanor she carries around. First time seeing a community used as a plot device. There’s also the inconsistencies in other characters like Lee Tae jumping back and forth with how he’ll play things out, Councilor Park grand phrase gone to shit in the matter of minutes, and a Monk becoming as random and unnecessary as possible to shed some tears.

Soundtrack

Brilliant and perfectly congruous to the story, though a few times where it’s needlessly repetitive. Still, a masterpiece of it’s own.


Story

Well crafted blend of impressive mind games and intense power struggle all the way through. Some hiccups as to the logic behind a few actions. The love story was as average as a undeveloped love story can be, tossed in your face every 10-15 minutes with delicate handholding, cheek palming, and stares of longing to remind you that it exists. Not like half the political plotting and justifications relied on this aspect right? All in all just solid storytelling, feels very limited in terms of outside the palace. Oh, and there’s the convenient last moment timings thrown at you every now and then to keep us on the very center of our seats..


Bloody Heart is a must try for anyone into the rarer side of saeguks. A stunning series not afraid to challenge one’s mind with complex characters thats rather hard to decide on who to side with along with cunning, realistic exchanges amongst one another that defines character, ambitions, newfound alliances, hidden agendas, and love in it’s many ambiguous ways.

Btw, I’ve poisoned ou-

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Once in a Blue Kdrama Moon

Not often do you come across a series you acknowledge as a technical masterpiece in terms of it’s quality, buuut stopped in personally acknowledging it as a masterpiece in your perspective.

This drama has almost everything a gritty, dark tone lover can ask for, the cast is stellar. You’re left with no room of preference of any actor replacing any of the cast since they execute their roles flawlessly.

The subtle sub genres they sprinkle over each episode makes you not want to mainly see this show for its romantic elements, it’s overly dramatic moments/characters, it’s severely dark themes. It has you see it for every thing it has to offer, combined under one word, Phenomenal.

Alas, with such great quality all around, I can’t help but to be taken out of the pool of “Masterpiece!!! One of its kind!!!” viewers because of one huge turd in the pool, known as believability.

Now don’t get me wrong, the series for the most part is definitely beyond believable, buuut there lies a certain character(with a HUGE impact on the story btw) that has an upbringing.. that doesn’t align with their current actions. Can you guess who? I’m sure most can and have.

This “specific” character has gone through hell with the FL, even once used to be the FL’s protector, or more so comforter? BUT the main person(his father) both of them opposed and were traumatized the most by in their past, is killed by the FL as someone finally decided to defend themselves. For the sake of the plot, forget this character having to live in this hell hole everyday, forget being there to witness the shit his father has been putting others through constantly due to others’ misfortune. Forget once trying to be the one bonfire warming the FL in this cold cruel world they’re living in. SHE KILLED YOUR BELOVED FATHER!! TORMENT HER FOR THE REST OF HER MISERABLE LIFE AND SHOW HER THE PAIN YOU’RE SUDDENLY GOING THROUGH FROM LOSING HIM. Take over your father’s path that you hated seeing hurt others. You don’t need believable reasoning, you don’t need consistency behind your actions, hell let’s even begin to humanize you well over half way in the story.

This singular aspect may have not been as much of a flaw as it has been for me, hell for whatever reason one has it may not have been a flaw at all for some as well. But the lack of this character’s development believability ruined what could’ve been a masterpiece for me as well. A shame really, but overall , no one should miss out on this series because of this, and will always be an easy recommendation coming from my mouth anytime somebody needs something that fits.

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A subtle jerker, prepare tissues.Feel like something’s off th-

Several names for this film with one main theme so let’s simply stick with Bouquet in support of laziness. In hindsight of watching this film a bouquet represents whatever you want it to. The grouping of people that are set for different paths. The capture of moments amongst one another that despite becoming wilted , remains cherished as memories of once was. Lost strangers blossoming from and for the sake of one another. The beauty of growing together along with the ugly of aging apart.

Bouquet excels at.. well, presenting a bouquet. Memorable dialogue amongst the characters, stunning chemistry between the leads, heartbreaking performances where needed in its saddest moments. For every thousand films one can give me of romanticized plots can i spot out one that seperates itself with grounded realism throughout its ups and downs. Sakamoto clearly took the time and effort needed to execute these aspects with precise care and flawed perfection, makes sense? Eh you’ll get it.

Some things I particularly appreciated the most about this film. How natural the screenwriting feels along with the interactions. How evenly they balanced out the feelings and moves of both leads, the second you want to tell the ML to speak the hell up he chases after to reaffirm his interest, suggest major steps in a relationship that currently fits the convenience for the FL and beneficial to both, mindlessly runs out to support the FL in her toughest times, steps up to the plate of employment in order to provide for both of them to maintain the same happiness together as always. The second you may want the FL to grow an individual spine in the relationship she sets an official(first?) second date, expresses her dislikes and likes such as her mutual attraction to continue kissing as a “form of communication”, forewarns the ML not to let her parents business tracked mind discourage him in any sort before meeting them for the first time.

Arimura Kasumi delivers us Hachiya Kinu, a young woman that seeks enjoyment at whichever way it can be obtained, a bud that only wishes to blossom at her own consistent,free pace.
Suda masaki delivers us Yamane Mugi ,a young man that once seeked enjoyment the exact way Hachiya has. Over time he has began to let outside influences shape his motivations such as how his father envisioned him, Kinu’s parents words of advice on the responsibility of life, and the harsh reality of how the world can impact your ambition to seek a living off what you love to do. A bud that feels forced to blossom like those around him in order to survive and maintain stability.
The relationship was only bound to be torn apart over time when one is at a stand still while the other is constantly changing for what he sees will be best.

Raw portrayal of these characters in a rather mute surrounding allows even the most little moments like embracing toilet paper hit just as hard as the mutual falling out of one another. You find yourself helplessly smiling at their small grins, dazed by the sound of slippers slapping down a train station, tearing up at a stack of unfinished manga volumes, sitting up to meet their parents, feeling frantic when it’s dark out as they’re checking the time for the last train, emotionally drained as the leads are giving their all in their very last moments of happiness as a couple. A slight yet very constant annoyance to me was the style of narration(monologues), as it’s never quite been my forte , ofc that differs by viewer.

I highly recommend anybody to give this remarkable film a shot. An important showcase of how healthy and motivational partings can be. A rare tackle at a realistic yet magical development between two lost buds blossoming together. The beauty of the beginning of the end and the memories in between.

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Hm, feeling quite poetic here. Hold your snaps

What is a track without a destination?
What is a car without it’s fuel?

A woman drained of determination.
An incomplete canvas in lost of it’s tools.

Struggling back stripped of it’s spine.
Unspoken thoughts echoing inside the mind.

In time i think we’ve all realized something, without a doubt.
This poet has no clue what the hell he’s talking about.

Well if you’re still here I don’t know rather to congratulate you or question your attention span towards goofiness, but hey, here’s a payoff.

Just Between Lovers is quite the unique drama in the entirety of all kdramas that are out there. In such ways that from the outside looking in, it shouldn’t be. You’re immediately pulled into this mesmerizing and grounded world with it’s rambunctious style of storytelling surrounded by a brilliant ost. This kind of writing i find to be at it’s greatest at the very beginning, aand slowly fizzles itself out the longer it progresses. BUT HERE?? Yeah, it kinda falls under that category still. Yes this is unfortunately one of those dramas that slightly overstayed their welcome and fills its blanks out with repetitive issues that in the real world would’ve been settled long before they decided to do so here.

Now dare i say these are some of the greatest characters I’ve dived into yet of any drama! Mai-, main characters that is. We are spoiled in such mature developments and subtly handled representation that the “they’re aight” doesn’t quite fit in well here. Cinematography work so stunning that you let off a soft sigh when a select few gets to shine in it. Now I won’t address any of this directly, i feel as though we all know those that I’m speaking on because that’s just how big the differences are in terms of the effort put in. To put it simply, the leads and a select few of the supporting characters were received polished depth while the others look like their scenes were handled by an intern’s first time writing.

I’m a gargantuan fan of airtight, subtle, realistic writing. Don’t get me wrong, it excels here no doubt. You won’t be disappointed overall with what this drama brings to the table if that’s also what you’re in for, just partly. You know what? Ima just come right out and say it, GROW A F#CKING PAIR Ha Moon So, this man shouldn’t have to climb over barbed wire fences and trudge through swamps for some understanding and effort. Sit your mother down, the hell has she been babbling about for 3/4ths of the drama anyway besides the constant whining? And for crying out loud do you have to look that damn lost when you’re curious? Kang Han Na... no not you Yoo Jin take a breather. Han Na, hun, losen up. Whatever or however those directors and agency is over there telling you to act, look, stand, breathe? Stop it, i feel slightly strangled every second I’ve seen you on screen, dial the stiffness back a bit. Kim Wan Jin... I’ve been thinking-.. right? As rare as it is I’ve come to the conclusion they had no idea what the hell to do with you after sitting you up in the car. As forgettable as any of your scenes were i have to repeatedly remind myself they didn’t just leave you there.

Alright alright, trust me i loved this series so don’t take any of my negative criticisms as a sign you shouldn’t try this series out, in fact make it as a sign that you DEFINITELY should give it a shot since I’m very rarely this critical with anything i just dislike or find meh. The ost was truly uploaded from the heavens, the cinematography is such a pleasure to the eyes of fellow raw, gritty lovers. What more can be said of the writing? Well, alot lol. But I don’t want give anything else away to express my enjoyment of this drama all around. Give it a go and see the high praise ,awards, and ratings were no facade.

Okay... hey uh, Yoo Jin , stay after for me rq. Quick matters to discuss, promise.

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Curtains..

Won’t crack on this too much, the writer and director were clearly aware of the lows of this drama and played into such, but damn was it that hard to at least leave the highs the hell alone?

Boku No Ita Jikan has what you’d want in any great drama specifically from Japan, unfortunately it’s also just as convenient and tropey as any typical jdrama comes, which you’d expect different from a series created within say idk, the past decade? I’ll touch more into that below, let’s acknowledge and praise what makes this drama worth your time.

Ost, ost, ost. I wouldn’t fault you for diving in solely for the beauty each and every track brings to the story. Yes it can be slightly repetitive but be honest, we’d all have the playlist on repeat if they didn’t take full advantage of it. Neatly woven into each and every scene with complete submission to everything that’s happening no matter how small. Abrupt fades into distancing echoes at the look of a character’s finger, low undertones complimenting the body language and kept thoughts of the characters , you’ll be thanking yourself for watching just from how much effort was put into the audio design alone.


Okay uh, let’s see. Take a look at the poster. Take another. I’m curious as to what do you see? Lingering pain ? Burdening responsibility? Simply a young handsome man with tears running down? Well, i see the carrier of this show in its entirety. Not only was Sawada Takuto without a doubt the most complex and interesting character here but dear god did most of their budget had to go in getting this man to play him. With all due respect and excuse my ignorance, the unfortunate passing of some actors/actresses or really in any profession does lead to some sort of...inflation, towards the actual quality of their work. I can guarantee you that is FAR from the case here. Miura Haruma puts his soul into this role. He more than makes up and even blinds us of the mediocrity that surrounded him most of the time. Such masterful body language and expressions were delivered what seemed as effortlessly from this man, i can give nothing but admiration and my sincere condolences to Miura for this outstanding performance, truly a rare talent that has left us too early. Want to give it a go because of the praise that surrounded his performance here? It’s impossible to be disappointed then, feast away.

So, this’ll be quick and semi painless, again they were very aware of these shortcomings and played around with them, so if that’s your thing don’t bother with any more of this, thanks for reading. Extreme amounts of played out tropes dancing around in silly soundtracks as if i was to be amused by the clownery I’m witnessing before me, I wasn’t. Enough conveniently timed plot tools and interactions to make a grown man replace his carpet from clawing at it from cringe. Painfully mundane characters outside of the ML and FL that makes you constantly ask why they even bothered with half the screentime? Would it not have been much more tightly wrapped and better executed in a 5-6 episode mini series? This is another one of those that once you’ve eaten enough, don’t get greedy. Yes you can be of the majority that made it to up to the end with your eyes satisfied, don’t let the 1/10000 put you off the chances of you enjoying the series all the way through. There are several characters i feel would’ve been better off simply not being written in or even touched on, hell simply be in the background and progress the plot like the others.

Overall, Boku No Ita Jikan was worth my couple hours of investment, I’ve learned to not let my eyes be bigger than my stomach from previous titles. A powerful performance from Miura with a decent enough performance from the FL(the only other great character btw). A rather heavy story handled well enough with some valuable lessons to be worth even the most critical of watchers’ time.

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A beautiful drama showcasing the real antagonist in cdramas.. Censorship

What could one say the exact moment after finishing this series for the first time? Work of art? Masterful directory? Addictive storytelling? No no no, you’re more likely to just sit there and go “What in the absolute fuck did i just binge in a day?”

The Bad Kids is undeniably on a completely different level than 99% of cdramas out there, in more ways than one. Rather you were addicted to its layered writing, artistic cast, the chilling ost, stunning cinematography, hell the intro animation even, you wouldn’t question why after experiencing it yourself. At least one of these aspects will keep you glued to your bed clicking one episode after another, with ill patterned lengths that has you go “huh, so short, might as well go for another” to “huh, i can delay my afternoon run to the gym, just this last one”.

The characters are heavily layered, with the actors executing them phenomenally. Almost everyone are highlights, you don’t get bored of seeing any single one of them work their magic on screen, rather it’s one line, a confession,reveal, a whistle, spit shining shoes, you come to appreciate every little detail that’s being displayed by some of the freshest actors that will have you mistaken them as the veterans around them.

This drama may be short, but it will without a doubt leave you in your bed constructing theories and analyzing several little details and actions to create your own takes away from the series.

Despite the fact that you shouldn’t be in these reviews nor comments until blindly experiencing this series yourself in order to interpret the story your own way first , it’s human nature for many to still take peeks beforehand. So I won’t go further in detail. Do watch every episode until the VERY end though to not miss details even the outros subtly throw at you.

I’ll end this simple review something we all are left with to interpret . Believe in the fairytale told or find your real story hidden behind the pages read aloud, flipping between one another only to uncover untold details and blank spaces waiting for your interpretation to fill them.

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A mesmerizing descent of nothingness

My dropped list is probably catching up to my completed at this point. I have no interests in forcing my way through any drama that loses itself, my interest, or both. A Piece Of Your Mind, for me, had it’s curtain call exactly at the end of the first half.

Not much i want to touch on besides a few separate thoughts. The OST is fantastic, if you only give this series a shot for this alone, I wouldn’t blame you nor will you be disappointed. If you can get through the first two episodes of delicate mindfucking,congrats, you’re basically halfway done. Great performances all around though I admit, questionable at times. I can’t be the only one to feel the series go “All right, that about sums up what you came to see, tap next for filler” as soon as episode 6 wrapped up. I can’t wrap my head around those that were interested in seeing any further progression or closure, i mean I’ve been slapped with multiple random and uninteresting side storylines far too many times, our confusion isn’t a hoax, that’s the writer practically winging it after realizing
-Hell, this was supposed to go on for 16 episodes? I’m sure we can spare a tale or two with these dull ass tenants.May have to cut a few.
-*Later cuts 4 episodes of drag* Hell, 12 episodes? I’m sure somebody has some bright input, anything you’d like to add cameraman?

On a serious note give this series a try if you favor cinematography, the cast, or a nice melo slow burn with memorable dialogue. This series won’t disappoint as long as your eyes aren’t bigger than your stomach. Get in,enough, then out.

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It all makes sense. And for that, it failed.

There’s not a single person that took even a peek at a trailer of this drama without every single bit of expectation weighing down on a single character alone. Everything, depended on portraying this rare lead character in drama land well enough. A balance of unforgivable and mysterious acts from Mr. Suave we can’t help but to uncover. A disturbing past, behind a dashing smile.

But i ask, how? How can you succeed at the only thing you set out to do, that EVERYONE wishes to see executed, and still fail? Well, you take all of the great build up and payoffs from the initial 7ish episodes and just say the magic word, sike.

Fe Ke

A great introduction of whom we’re dealing with here. A couple perspective twists thrown in early to link everyone’s experience with the man of the hour seamlessly. Slow, satisfying burns of finesse, open arms, and welcoming opportunities. Something’s unbalanced though, can’t quite tilt my soda can on it.

FeKe

Near flawless segues from one story to the other, why is that.. though? Was recollection always this easy? I mean hell, they’re bouncing off one another as if all of this over the past couple years has happened to them last week. Meh, who cares. These campfire stories are going great. Replace the battery in the flashlight for us Su Qian, that’s a 40 episode remake of classic Kdrama if i ever seen one. Something’s not quite adding up though, surely if i sell AMC now Cheng it wouldn’t hu-


Feke

Oh so predictable. Wait, come again? His daughter did what after? Hold on, these are the lies now, right? Well who the fuck wrote the lies y’all were dishing out the past 5 hours and where can i contact them for an inquiry? I mean this is absurd, why even stick with what really happened at this point when you can just make a better truth up. Now that I’m thinking about it, throw the damn soda can away already.


Fake

Hints of stories mixed so well together you refuse to believe the “reality” you chase down after them. You can tell the exact moment they decided to just start wiping their ass with the original work and start attempting to spin things their own way. I didn’t want to believe what i was told, but 7 episodes is as far as you need to go here to get what you want. 8 if you’re up for a good laugh after the dark and depressing themes this drama oozed throughout.

I’m not mad at the time i wasted. After all, the “twists” were at least in line with who most of these characters were from the jump, so it was of no surprise to me seeing it all go to shit because they must’ve forgot they were adapting an original work halfway through. I just wonder if the FL’s role was this dull and pointless there as well.

I don’t usually poke mindless fun at a drama without some pros at least, so here :
~ Skip to Su Qian. Done? Skip again to Su Qian, you’re welcome.
~ Great cinematography, music, and use of imagery.
~ Episodes 1-7 are worth your time, skip to Su Qian after. Done ? Close it out.
~New… party trick?

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