Slice of Life Drama that is pretty realistic

It's one of the better modern day CDramas I have seen. It definitely gives the KDramas a run for their money. When I was watching this with my girlfriend, we both agreed the acting, cinematography, story line, and writing is top notch for a modern day CDrama. It's a big budget production so everything is done to make it feel extremely realistic. I wasn't sure about this drama because of Dylan Wang. My girlfriend made me watch Meteor Garden with her; I couldn't even stomach past the second episode of that show and dropped it. He did a pretty good job portraying his character in this series, in my opinion he's a *little too perfect* with being there for the main FL and anticipating her needs. That's a separate gripe I have with CDramas and KDramas in general on these "perfect" BFs.

It starts off fairly slow in the beginning and took a while for me to get into it, it's a slice of life drama that highlights the sexism and hostility women face in the workplace, expectations placed on them to conform, and the concept of "left over" women. The show also depicts how men such as Dylan Wang's character do not need to embrace standard norms of masculinity. He can cook, clean, sew, design jewelry, wash women's hair, take care of his widowed mother, and be an assistant to a woman who is strong willed and independent without feeling his manhood is threatened. He falls in love with a woman older than him. It challenges the general roles and norms what it is to be a man and what masculinity means.

While I didn't really get the vibes of a deep or gripping love story, I enjoyed most of the characters in this series, relationship portrayals, growth, and realistic issues in the workplace and society.

Some highlights:

The mother of the main FL, initially she was annoying which I think the show intended her to be. however the relationship between them evolves and while she's not a bubbly friendly character, she's a straight shooter who has a good read on people.

The romantic relationship that develops between the ML's friend and supporting female character was fairly realistic in how it shows the pressures faced by young professionals who don't have a financial foothold yet and are reluctant to get into a romantic relationship when they can barely afford to survive in a big city.

The main FL's boss who is the head of the EV division, did a wonderful job with his character. If I was an actor I would clamor for that role mainly because of how that character was written and how good the actor played that role. His character is not a good guy nor bad guy per se, he represents the side of masculinity that is the opposite of MLs personality and demeanor. One of my favorite scenes is where he spins the wooden top at a workplace dinner and gives his meaning for it.

Overall a good watch, not exciting but a slow slice of life thoughtful drama on society, norms, and toxic workplace culture.

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Average Wuxia with Big Budget and Big Name Leads

If I were to grade this, I would give it a B- to a B. There was quite a bit of hype surrounding this series and looks like big bucks was thrown at it. The set, cinematography, and hanfu costumes were pretty good and seems there was thought put into the details.

The story is ok, it has a some amount of political intrigue and scheming although not to the level of The Rise of the Phoenixes. The hero and heroine start off as competitors in the martial arts world. The hero and heroine are a bit too perfect: martial arts skills that are unparalleled, high morals, stunning good looks, and IQ levels that may beat Johanne Goethe and William Sidis. Are they even mortals? The ML seems to figure out how to get out of every sticky situation because of his supreme intelligence. The ML has been a big deal ever since Love O2O even though his acting wasn't great in it and I didn't watch the series past the 5th episode. His acting hasn't improved much in this, it was kind of stiff. The FL is one of the new "It" actresses so she seems to be in every big budget CDrama right now whether or not she fits the part. I personally like her role in this more than Love Like the Galaxy. Her character seems to be older, far more mature and there's less drama personality wise. The chemistry between the ML and FL wasn't great. Not sure if its how the story is originally written or if the actor and actress themselves weren't connecting in their roles.

Some of the wuxia martial arts scenes were decent and watchable although nothing remarkable. It was ok enough that I got through to 34th episode eventually putting it on hold, may resume it again one day to find out who ends up ruling the world.

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Puppy Love with Good Looking Leads

I decided to give it a try despite being skeptical. The first episode was ok, I wasn't sure if I should continue but by the third episode I thought it was good enough to keep watching. It is a light romantic comedy so far, the leads are cute and SOOOO good looking. I saw the ML in Rookie Historian and wasn't thrilled with his character or the acting. His character in this KDrama really grows on you, he's not weak or too nice. He's a reserved guy who is cautious with people and more so with dogs which is a disadvantage for our adorable FL. I thought the development of the relationship between the FL and ML felt like a slow burn even though he is clearly smitten by her after four episodes. There's also a hint of their previous fate and destiny in their previous lives which might give more context to why they are drawn to each other in their present lives. Maybe its me but there were moments between them that gives you butterflies such as the umbrella and elevator scenes. I'm rooting for their relationship and can't wait for the FL to realize her feelings for the ML. I wish they didn't delay the episodes as it is has been a bit of a wait between them.

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So-so Big Budget Historical Soap Opera with 大木头

It's a so -so story with a big focus on slice of life and family dynamics. It isn't very plot driven, mostly revolves around family issues and romance. The FL has been neglected by her parents due to their responsibilities for the kingdom as military officials which required them to leave their home. The FL is treated poorly by her grandmother and extended family while her parents are away. She is smart and has a strong personality which is great especially when it comes to standing up against people who are bullies. At times I found it to be too impulsive, abrasive, and overdone. I understand it is a part of the story and the novel as the FL is supposed to be fairly young but it was too much at times and it was grating. Her parents played their roles beautifully. The general is stuck between his daughter, wife, and mother; it makes a man want to run and hide from all the drama but the general handles it deftly and with humor. The wife has also been a part of the military campaigns with her husband so she is strong willed and feisty. She clashes with the FL repeatedly and at times is pretty harsh with her treatment of her daughter to rein in her behavior.

The ML was pretty wooden and stiff in his acting abilities, not sure who takes the Big Wooden (大木头) Acting Award for 2022 but he's a top runner for it. His role is to be the good looking stiff cold general ML who keeps saving the FL and has lovey dovey puppy eyes only for her. He was slightly better in his acting in The Long Ballad but he had more chemistry with this FL than the FL in The Long Ballad.

The FL acting is good and she plays the character well. There were repeated references to the FL's extraordinary beauty in the show, from a male perspective I would say she's cute girl next door in terms of looks but not an extraordinary beauty. When the series pushes that narrative to tell you versus to show you, it demonstrates a lack of proper story telling and heavy handed tactics.

Didn't really like the instalove thing with the male suitors, it was too quick with how the ML falls in love with her. Even the SMLs had this instalove thing going with the FL. They meet her for the first time, she solves some puzzle, and BIM BAM BOOM I'm so in love with her and ready to devote myself wholeheartedly? There is a love triangle and reverse harem with her three suitors, it isn't over the top which is good, not big on the love tri and quad thing.

At times it was slow and tested my patience but its watchable for most of the characters. Its a big budget series so the settings, historical costumes, production, editing, and cinematography are excellent.

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Funny and Silly

Another time travel love drama which is really overdone these days in CDramas and KDramas. However, the acting especially from the FL is funny and comedic. She suits the part very well and is cute as a button. She does a much better job in this than Meteor Garden. Forget about the plot, story, the predictability of it, or any of it making sense. Stick your brain in a box and leave it there while you watch this.

I did an initial eye roll when the GF wanted to start this as she was anticipating it for a while. The first episode wasn't that great, it started to get pretty good between the second and third one. The chemistry between the FL and ML is pretty good, lots of banter and ML is of course Mr. Bad or more like Mr. Egotistical. Haven't really seen the ML before this, his acting is funny and expressive. I would consider him one of the better CDrama actors so far in the romcom category. The chemistry between the leads is one of the main selling points of this series. I snorted multiple times when the ML kept asking her what she really wished for at the fountain. At one point, the ML comes up with a plan to fulfill her wish and the scenes that ensue were enjoyable and hilarious. The ML eventually falls for the FL first, of course she is clueless to all his shenanigans to draw her in.

The SML and FML characters were not engaging and their scenes were boring, there was a fair amount of fast forwarding through those parts.

I'm watching it for the acting, laughs, chemistry, and banter between the leads. A good light hearted youth comedy.

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The Long Snore 无聊

This was one long boring Historical CDrama. GF and I kept trying to slog through it, finally throwing the towel in the thirtyish episode. Initially it was sort of decent, the FL is a strong character who is tough and has exceptional martial arts skills. She is hell bent on revenge for what was done to her and her family.

The memorable part of the FL's initial interaction with the ML is the competion with the ML in the Cuju match scene. I really enjoyed the Cuju match which is an ancient sports game going back to the Han Dynasty popular in the military and royalty. I felt it was executed beautifully although I cannot attest to the historical accuracy of the game play.

However, the story line and plotting became a big drag of revenge and messy plotting of political intrigue. Too many filler side stories and dragging things out un-necessarily. No chemistry between the leads, it felt like they would be better as siblings than lovers. The SML character who falls in love with the FL is annoying, not talking about the actor himself but the role. I don't know if the SML role was used as a contrast to the ML as a way to prop up the ML to the viewers; he was weak willed and undecisive. The princess SFL was also weak and fragile. It got annoying when she kept crying all the time, she does mature more later on as she goes through some hardships. The guard dude SML with the princess SFL chemistry was better and the love story between them was more engaging than the leads. You end up rooting more for them than anyone else.

Since its a big budget show, I need not say more on the production quality of the series. The acting was okay, the ML is on the stiff and wooden end of things. The FL and princess SFL did a pretty good job in their roles despite a messy drawn out storyline.

If one has insomnia and wants something to help them fall asleep, this might be the show for it.

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Philosophy and Penalties of Death

This drama is dark with a philosophical take on what it means to take your own life and the value of life itself. I felt it took a strong opinionated approach on the value and the meaning of a life despite how trapped, sad, and dire one's circumstances are. In a world that is becoming increasingly hyper competitive with the sociopathy of capitalism , more socially isolating but at the same time hyper socially connected in ways that can be superficial and heightens the loneliness we feel with our comparative social standing to others, the protagonist is a victim of these circumstances. He runs into a series of misfortune and mishaps for years, he seems to be unable to catch a break and feels stuck in a life where he is constantly hustling in several lowly paid and low status jobs while his youth is being sucked away from him. All he wanted was to make a decent living in a real job, marry his girlfriend and have a family but it seems even that "middle class dream" is out of reach. What is a man to do when he is grinded down to the point where he sees no hope, no future worth living for?

The drama seems to take a hard stance or at least Death does when she puts the protagonist through a series of tests in the bodies and lives of different people from all walks of life who are destined to meet their end unless the protagonist can figure a way to avert death. If he averts death, he can have his chance to live again. Death raises the questions: Was it a selfish decision he made to take his life? Did he consider the impact on his loved ones? Did he take his life for granted? While he took his life, there were others who had no free will when their lives abruptly ended.

The acting is good, the ML has taken unconventional roles in the previous dramas and the FL as Death was in Parasite. It also has an unconventional approach where the ML reincarnates into different people, multiple actors take the lead in different storylines.

The storyline is incredibly fast paced, engaging, and at times difficult to stomach with its traumatic dark themes.

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"However, What They Don’t Teach You Is How To Be An Adult."

I got a few recommendations from my buddies a while back to see this. I saw the good reviews of it in the news and also on MDL. I knew it wasn't going to be an easy watch. I appreciate the film makers, director, writers, and all who participated in this production in having the creative courage to tell a story about a social issue that is difficult to navigate and properly tell.

This drama is gritty and tries to do a realistic portrayal of the characters so nothing goes through pretty pastel filters, you see the starkness as it is.

The focus of the story is about the extreme bullying a teenage girl deals with in her school. It starts off with her classmate who commits suicide due to the bullying. There's a difficult scene where her classmate's dead body is in the center of the school grounds with some students taking pictures of the scene and it was morbid. The FL goes to cover the dead body up out of respect, she becomes the new target of bullying.

Later on, her life intersects with a young thug who is an orphan. The FL and ML seem to have similar backgrounds of poverty and come from broken homes but they have different aspirations and trajectories. The FL is studious and does extremely well in school, she aspires to go to the best university. The ML has lived with a life of violence and has no direction. The FL gets his help to protect her from the bullying so she can focus on graduating and getting into a good university. Their relationship develops further as two lonely individuals who come to support each other.

The bullying continues to spiral out of control and turns into an absolute train wreck for the leads. Most of the adults in the drama give lip service on student bullying and turn a blind eye to it. It was difficult to watch towards the end when you feel the impending doom for both of the leads and the sacrifice one makes for the other.

Extraordinary story telling and deeply heartbreaking.

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One of the Kind Drama

This is one hell of a damn good drama that will shatter your heart to a million pieces. It is a lush, breathtaking, and stunning epic historical drama set during the Joseon period of tumultuous change with foreign influences each having their own agendas on what they want to get out of Korea.

The areas the drama really excelled in:

- Impressive Immersive Storyline, very well written, good pacing, and tight plotting.
- Well thought out character back stories and narrative storylines, the viewer feels emotionally invested in the main characters. It is one of the best portrayals of strong female characters, Go Ae Shin and Kudo Hina top my list of favorite female characters.
- Excellent Acting, each of the main and support actors played their parts so well. They really captured the nuances and grey areas of their characters.
- Stunning Cinematography and Production, so many scenes where the cinematography just captures your attention. It is done exceptionally well with deliberation and it is simply breath taking.
- Great Chemistry between the leads and love interests
- Amazing OST, some of the songs are ethereal, sad, and whimsical at the same time.
- While it deviates from actual history and inserts fictional aspects to it along with some controversy, it still highlights a fascinating and absolutely tragic time. It explores the greed of corrupt internal traitors, sacrifices and the courage some make for a better future, meddling foreign countries with their selfish self interest, and Joseon caste system politics that leads to devastating childhood loss and trauma and makes their love forbidden.

It will be considered one of my top dramas for a while.

Absolutely stunning watch.

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Not Bad for a Gender Body Switchroo

We had this on our watchlist since last year, the trailer didn't look that compelling so it was postponed for a bit but I'm glad we decided to give it a try. Don't like to watch shows where the character is a celebrity or its about the entertainment business, its not interesting. This show managed to make it work. Don't bother trying to apply any logic, rationale, or thinking to the series and why the body switch occurs.

The gist of it is an aloof male celebrity and an entertainment reporter do multiple body gender switchroos.

- Jokes, Jokes, and more Jokes. It pokes fun at itself, it makes fun of Asian drama cliches, and at celebrity idol culture and worship.
- Great chemistry between the leads and decent acting with the gender swap that happens repeatedly. The ML does overact sometimes during the swap. The development of their romance was good, a bit of a slow burn but a fair amount of hilarity in between. The part where the ML swapped with the FL and experiences his first period was pretty funny, of course he had to wear a white dress to top it all off.
- No long drawn out boring SML or SFL stories, the focus is mainly on the leads. It focuses on how they handle the gender body swap situations and their growing affection and attraction for each other.

Didn't really care for the backstory of the family dynamics of the ML, it felt like they were trying to force some trauma family story to add some complexity to his character and rationale for why he was moody and aloof.

I'd compare this series to kinda like going to an amusement park, its fun, its not part of normal life, and it takes your mind off all that studying you were supposed to do. I felt they were able to make it work between a male celebrity and a non celebrity average person because of the extraordinary circumstances that pushed them together.

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Younger Female Version of Tom Hanks Cast Away?

I will first state I am a big Park Eun Bin fan so there is some bias to the review. She was awesome in King's Affection and Attorney Woo. She gives off Audrey Hepburn vibes and I am sure she will star in many more addictive KDramas in the future.

I will start off with the good parts:

-Park Eun Bin is in this! I don't need to say more.
-The story telling of the tragic back story of the FL and ML's childhood and abusive past is told well and you get a sense that they are holding onto each other as two lonely teenagers in a scary traumatic world.
-Who is the adult Jung Ki Ho? The story tellers keep you guessing. Who should the viewer root for as the love interest? I will take my stand, I am rooting for Kang Bo Geol.

There is room for improvement (there is no bad in Park Eun Bin's dramas haha):

-Her character and behavior is a bit too ditzy, perhaps she didn't get to emotionally develop since she was isolated for 15 years so there's some emotional stunting.
-The aspects of her surviving on the island is unrealistic and how she is still so pale when she is outdoors in the island. Where is the tan or sunburn???
-The two male leads being too helpful too soon to her when they barely know her
-Her relationship and idolization of a faded popular singer who fell from grace.

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Better than I expected in the first half

When I read the summary I wasn't sure if I was going to watch this, the reviews and comments were mixed too but I decided I was going to watch the first episode and decide from there. I have seen the ML in Weak Hero Class and Flower Crew. He is a very talented actor and an unconventional one that doesn't fit into the standard KDrama actor mold. While they are both good looking, I find both the ML and FL don't fit into the conventional mold with their looks in standard Kdrama romance. I appreciate that because its more immersive for me as a viewer because I bought into their love story and felt it more so than if cookie cutter actors and actresses were in those roles.

Is it a perfect story and perfectly executed? Nope. However, I appreciate the uniqueness it bought to the table in Asian dramas that tend to be littered with recycled themes. It was a big risk taken to tell a fantasy story of traumatized individuals in extraordinary circumstances where mental health issues and concepts of split personalities and PTSD are told in a fantasy setting with symbolism of the "evil spirit" representing the darkness in the human condition that resulted from trauma and abuse.

In the first half of the arc of the story, the Ak Hee evil spirit added a complex dimension in the story that showed his greed, seductive manipulation, impulsiveness, and ruthlessness of what he was willing to do because of the intensity of his feelings for the FL whether it be lust or a twisted version of love. The ML did a wonderful job portraying the light and dark sides with the push and pull within himself.

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Some Contracts need to be Voided

There were some funny moments but having watched four episodes of this, it has fallen flat. I just could not get into it. My GF will likely finish this without me. The FL is attractive but her character is one dimensional and robotic. She's perfect in everyway: she a martial arts guru who can kick any creep's butt, she attended a prestigious overseas university, she's smart, she's fluent in English, she's cooks like a Michelin chef, and she's HOT. Her career choice with all these qualifications is to be a fake wife to men desperate to get out of some rut by bringing in a contract wife? Is it all attributable to a bad childhood and her sketchy relationship with the mother?

I'm not sure what to make of the SML and how that relationship is supposed to develop with the FL. It's another typical Asian drama cliche of teen love persisting into adulthood. There was a complete lack of chemistry between SML and the FML. The relationship chemistry between the ML and FL isn't much better. ML is supposed to be socially awkward guy who struggles with relationships. He has a mysterious background (it's revealed later on what he does for a living) who hires the FL so he can cook for her on the days she is supposed to be his wife. The show reveals the reason why he does it but it didn't make any sense to me.

It could have been executed better with a better plot and storyline.

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It's not just a bad prosecutor that is bad with this.

I was excited when I saw the trailer for this and had high expectations. After 5 episodes, I really could not get into it and probably the only person who feels this way. It was non-sensical and unbelievable with the ML's behavior in how far he can get away with things. Most people love vigilante justice but for gods sake make it more believable, have more deliberation, and thought put into the ML's actions. I find it hard to believe he even made it this far with his impulsivity and extremeness such as when he took on dozens of thugs with his kendo skills and comes out as the Gladiator Prosecutor who beats the crap out of everyone.

The acting is fine for the characters, no criticism of them. Its the storyline and character development that needs more work.

If its a bad plot with craziness, I can put up with it as long as it can keep me engaged or at the edge of my seat. However, its just plain cartoonish at this point if not predictable.

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