felicismoon
This review may contain spoilers
Did I watch the same show as everyone else?
After watching this, I've found myself so disappointed that I really have to ask myself: did I watch the same show as everyone else?This was a show I eagerly anticipated watching. I was over the moon (haha) when I heard this drama was airing soon. I was expecting something amazing. A stellar cast, with a celestial horror/mystery? Count me in!!
Looking at the other reviews and comments about this show, it looks like, generally, most people have been really liking this show. So it puzzles me that I had such major issues with this show that it seems that other people did not have. I'm honestly wondering if there's just something I'm missing here.
One of my biggest problems with this show was the characters. I had no problems with the characters during the first episode. They seemed interesting and unique, and I was curious to see where they'd go with Bae Doo Na's character. And I had no doubt that the excellent cast, which was one of the main reasons I was excited for the show, would be able to deliver quality performances.
Where the drama went sharply downhill for me was about the second episode or so. My problem was that I could not understand why the characters were acting the way they were acting. Here's what I mean. As soon as the scientists make it to the space station, it is exceedingly obvious that there's something not right here at all. The drowning victims, the lack of radiation. More importantly, there's the people dying terrifying, unnatural deaths. But during all of this, I could not understand why the scientists seemed to unbothered?? Obviously, they shouldn't start panicking or running around like headless chickens but I feel like they don't seemed fazed enough? There's not enough of a sense of urgency in their actions despite the profoundly distressing situation. It's so bizarre to me I felt like a crazy person watching the show. I just could not understand these characters. Now, I think this does improve later in the show, where the characters act more logically. But by this point I'd already lost much of my interest in the characters and their success.
However, my biggest problem with the show was probably the plot. I hate crying plagiarism for no reason and I'm NOT saying that this drama plagiarized. But the set up was so similar to this Doctor Who episode I watched in the past. I think it's called "The Waters of Mars" or something? Anyways, both of them have the set up of these astronauts in space at the mercy of a sickness spread by water. I think they both even have the infected person expelling huge quantities of water, though that might just be in this show. And, to be fair, I can't remember enough of the details regarding the backstory and the characters to say that the two are similar in this regard. I digress. But what the problem for me was that the novel premise of the threatening water in the space station fell flat for me because I'd already seen it before. I was able to predict so much what happened, which killed a lot of the mystery and suspense for me. And I'm usually someone that's terrible at predicting what's going to happen next when I'm watching dramas!
To be fair to the show, the backstory behind the water, Luna, and the newer parts of the plot were in the last two or so episodes, which I skipped through a lot. I probably should've given the show more of a chance with these elements of it, but by this point I was so disappointed and annoyed I couldn't care enough. And the elements with the drought on Earth were interesting, but they weren't explored enough for me to give the show much more credit there.
Basically, to sum up my feelings, I really did not like this show. The suggested overall rating that MDL is giving me for this review is a 5/10, and that probably would be more fair. But I'm just so bitter about this show I can't give it more than a 3/10. I really wanted to like it, and I was so sure I would. However, this show just really didn't work for me. I would still recommend it if you're interested, though, since a lot of people seem to like it a lot.
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This is a fairly domestic, slice of life show that manages to never become tedious, and this is coming from someone with the attention span of a toddler. the conflicts that the main characters face are interesting, without being over the top or stupid. it also manages to deal with many important issues that people in the LGBTQ community have to deal with. I feel like this show's handling of these issues is one of the best things about it, in that it shows how the characters are affected by homophobia and prejudice without reducing the characters to nothing but victims. I also really like how the show includes a different dish in each episode. during each episode I was always waiting in anticipation for the recipe, haha.
I feel like one of the strongest points of this show is the characters/acting. I admittedly have not read the manga that this is based on, but I found myself absolutely adoring the characters. the main characters had so much personality. they were both flawed and unique, and I think that made this drama amazing. the actors portraying them were perfect. they were both completely believable, and manage to seem genuinely in love without having to be overly affectionate.
the music was good, I don't always really notice the music in the shows I watch but I liked the songs in this one. they always fit well with what was going on
rewatch value: I'm already wanting to rewatch this show and I only finished it a few hours ago so that has to say something, haha. I want more.
final rating: 9.5/10 (tempted to bump it up to a 10/10) I would honestly recommend this to anyone, especially those that want a sweet/heartwarming watch or someone that is interested in LGBTQ issues.
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This review may contain spoilers
I decided to watch this because of Wang Zhuo Cheng, who I really liked in the untamed, and I’m glad I did! I think the best thing about this drama is the characters and their relationships. All of the characters have very distinct personalities, which made me want to keep watching. I especially liked long hao qian and yi ming jun, and their bromance. Story: As a whole, I liked the story.
The other reviews I read before watching this had me gearing up for a really stupid, out of nowhere, turn of events. But the *thing* that happens at episode 20 is hinted at earlier in the series, so I don’t think the plot/writing is as bad as people are making it out to be. I mean it gets a bit cringe lol but it’s not as out of left field as I predicted. The shift in tone is kinda out of place but whatever. Also, though there were some tropes earlier in the series, i feel like they didn’t overstay their welcome and become tedious. However, this might not bother me as much as it could bother other viewers because I’m fairly new to this genre of show. Idk, I just wanted to offer my two cents on something a lot of people have been complaining about, take it or leave it.
Acting: as a whole, I really liked the acting in this series. I think all of the main actors did a pretty good job of expressing their characters’ emotions. I seldom thought that it was awkward or stiff. Even the side characters are charismatic and interesting.
Music: I thought it was fine. It wasn’t annoying or cheesy, and I liked the song in the opening credits.
Rewatch value: I think this would be pretty fun to rewatch. It’s pretty funny, there’s parts that actually got me laughing out loud. The romantic scenes between the main couples were also pretty cute. Also, it seemed pretty well produced.
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