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  • Join Date: March 12, 2020
Completed
Golden Bowl
3 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jun 7, 2020
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Although 'Golden Bowl' is older than many MDL users, it still retains the freshness of history and humor. It is true that this humor is a little specific, but the whole story is full of charm and the way it is said can grab your heart.
This is not a love story, but it talks about various aspects of love, from family, through friendship, marriage, to romantic and sentimental.
It's really hard not to like heroes. Each of them - from the main characters to episodic characters, is an interesting personality shown in a humorous way, but being more than a clown in a comedy.
It is a beautiful and warm story about people who, joined by a common passion, become everyday support for themselves. It's also a comedy that can make you laugh to tears.

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Completed
The Oath of Love
4 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jul 12, 2022
32 of 32 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 5.5
The Oath of Love is a drama that great popularity not only because of the huge fandom of the actors playing the main roles. The script is rather simple. It lacks great tension and sometimes even sense, but maybe that's the point, because once the viewer gets used to this very light convention he or she will actually start to feel a certain pleasant lightness.
I won't lie, I quit this drama twice so weak was the story. The relationship between FL and ML was artificial, forced and trite. But at some point this changed and something really sparked between the viewer and the drama.
I don't rate this drama very high because it had too many shortcomings. However, I rate it above average for the fact that at one point it really brought something light and enjoyable. If you're looking for thrilling action, an intriguing script and intelligent dialogues, you won't find them here, but you'll find plenty of warmth and smiles, so if it's raining outside the window, I recommend this drama to improve your mood.

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Completed
The Devil Judge
4 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jan 7, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 7.0
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.5

Too theatrical and too grotesque

Delightful music is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this drama. Stunning music and phenomenal Ji Sung whose acting stunned me.
Unfortunately, that's as far as praise goes. The drama is done too artistically for my taste. The cinematography, the set design, the costumes - everything is beautiful, but I was too wrapped up in the beauty where the plot was lacking. The first episode in terms of carrying out the process enthralled me, but then everything started to break down. There was too much of something that verged on caricature and not enough of the elements that are most important to me - something that would draw me into rooting for the hero. The theatricality of this drama, sometimes grotesque, took away my feeling of satisfaction from the first episode and took away my pleasure from watching. I abandoned this drama two or three episodes before the end and came back only because I saw the phenomenal Ji Sung in an older drama and wanted to compare the acting.
The drama is aesthetically pleasing but for me it was a bit too much in terms of form and the characters were cartoonish.

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Dropped 9/16
The Law Cafe
20 people found this review helpful
by janec
Oct 4, 2022
9 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 3
Overall 1.5
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.0
Music 1.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

100% Sweet Romantic Drama

The first thing that struck me about this drama is the lighting. The creators used a very bright, sweet, romantic and luminous filter that makes your eyes hurt to look at. The whole drama is kept in a sweet style, infused with teenage romance. The shame is that the characters are adult, supposedly intelligent lawyers, who nevertheless behave like teenage children. Even the gruesome scene where we have a brutally murdered animal has been turned into a "fainting damsel in distress" romance here. The romantic music, the slowed down pace as she falls into his arms and the FL's infatuated eyes fit this scene like vanilla ice cream on a blood steak - not my taste.

Another issue is FL and Lee Se Young, who plays her. FL is an insult to me as a woman. Her behavior is unbalanced, even childishly hysterical, as if I were seeing a sulky five-year-old who didn't get a lollipop. However, I had no complaint with the actress, although her character was annoying and unconvincing. The crying scenes in episode 9, however, were so artificial in Lee Se Young's performance that I was unable to continue with the drama.

The drama tries to address some important social issues, but any meaningful themes are lost in the over-sweetened aesthetics of this production. This drama is purely a cute teenage romance, with characters on the emotional level of middle-schoolers. Potentially dark and disturbing legal themes are completely stripped of their dignity and aesthetics in this drama.

If one likes a drama heavy on romance, sweetness and established tropes, one will definitely not be disappointed. However, for me, lawyers who are almost forty years old acting as if they have no life experience and live only their love problems and behave like frisky children is a bit too much. Vanilla ice cream on blood steak.

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Ongoing 11/12
The First Responders
8 people found this review helpful
by janec
Dec 24, 2022
11 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10
With one episode to go, I'm giving this drama a 10/10. It's not a full 10 but I'm leveling up because, for me, this is the best drama of this year.

For starters, the plot is very good. The affairs are interesting but not outlandish like in some modern dramas that want to shock the viewer. The cases that happen here could even happen in real life. They also don't take up too much time, so the plot's pace is appropriate. During the investigation there is room for emotion, for something funny, touching - just human, and that's exactly what the characters are - human. They have their qualities and their flaws. They are pleased by small joys and annoyed by some trifles. They struggle with their private problems and I can believe in the existence of each of them.

The downside (for me) is the moralistic message of this drama in some scenes. Propaganda smells a mile away. But all in all, I prefer propaganda to believe that there are good people working in the emergency services than forcing me to believe in someone else's ideology. So it can be endured, especially because when we get to know the characters more closely, we begin to believe that they are just such modern heroes who want to help. They are flawed so sometimes they make mistakes, but they want to do well and try their best. So this downside isn't so big either.

The drama is light and pleasant to watch. I think it will be one of my favorites not only of 2022, but in general, and I am glad that there will be a season two.

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Completed
Entertainer
2 people found this review helpful
by janec
Mar 18, 2022
18 of 18 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Wonderful acting, excellent atmosphere

This drama surprised me very positively. I avoid showbiz themes, I started watching "Entertainer" out of boredom and it was a series really full of entertainment and excitement. I'm the kind of person who likes to get involved in a character's life and ML played by Ji Sung absorbed me completely. He captivated me from the first episode, played with bravado and beautiful subtlety at the same time. I am full of admiration and praise.
The plot drew me in from the beginning. I love that each character, even in the third plan, is a finished whole with their own interesting story. The crime plot is interesting and the humor is really funny. What I appreciate most, however, is the warm and hopeful atmosphere of this drama. In spite of the difficulties the characters face, in spite of their pain, which could be felt so clearly in some scenes, "Entertainer" gave me a lot of positive impressions. Rarely has a story been so well written and so brilliantly conveyed. My respect and full satisfaction as a viewer is expressed in the rating of 10/10. I really don't have even half a point to give and I would gladly add another.

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Completed
The Rise of Phoenixes
2 people found this review helpful
by janec
Mar 9, 2022
70 of 70 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
Absolutely gorgeous costumes, sets, cinematography, music, the whole atmosphere of the drama. A feast for the eyes. However, the plot is a bit heavy and may be difficult for viewers who are not familiar with the intricacies of relationships in the Chinese courts. I remember a few years ago I didn't understand much, but the drama fascinated me. Now I watched it a second time, already with understanding and also with fascination. The story is interesting and well written, but...
I really don't like stupid FL. Intelligence and knowledge is not wisdom. Zhi Wei is one of the dumbest FLs I've met. But the actress is great.
ML is an interesting character, I don't like the actor's acting though. He's too theatrical, too over-the-top, he gave me an unpleasant impression of theatrical insanity from the beginning. I would prefer Ning Yi to be played in a more subtle way, where the viewer is able to sense his emotions instead of being whacked over the head with them.
I don't like the ending. To me it is, um, too theatrical. It's logical, it follows the plot, it makes pretty good sense, but it didn't give me satisfaction.
All in all, this is a very good drama, well made, definitely worth recommending and watching. It kept me up all night. However, it's an intellectual drama, not an entertaining one, so it's not a title that's easy to watch and sometimes it can be tiring. 8/10

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Completed
The Guest
2 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jan 12, 2022
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.5

Three different people on the same mission

I'm just finishing watching this drama once again. This is the third or fourth time in the years since it was made. What captures me the most about it is the three protagonists bonded together by a common struggle. Each of them is different, original, interesting, but they all have the same thing in common - the desire to protect the other two.
The mystery element in this drama is strong, clear, and truly mysterious. The plot twists and pressure points on the various suspects are well handled. The plot keeps you in suspense. The atmosphere has the right intensity.
I especially like the relationship between shamanism and Catholicism. They were presented in quite an interesting way. But the circumstances are also interesting.
But for me, as I mentioned before, the best and most important thing is the characters. Not just the main three. Each character is very believably drawn and portrayed. But of course the main three are the best.

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Completed
Protect the Boss
2 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jan 12, 2022
18 of 18 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0

Just enjoy it!

I had a lot of fun watching this drama. Twice. I don't remember ever seeing an idiot as cute as ML is. Actually, there was a lot of idiocy throughout the drama, but I guess that's the charm of this drama. Either someone will be amused by that sense of humor or they won't. For me it was an excellent escape from too serious matters and really excellent relaxation.
But this drama is not just about humor. It is also a neatly told story about responsibility, family relationships, neglect, abuse and trauma. Difficult topics are here, but covered with light humor, as if the scriptwriter did not want to burden us with drama, but only smuggled some "wise" elements. For me, this drama gave me food for thought, I was rooting for ML, who undergoes a transformation and we find out why he is the way he is. For me, there is a neat combination between lightness and laughter and serious themes. I really liked the statement that when a polite child comes home late, he gets a rouse, and when a naughty child comes home a little earlier than usual, he gets praise. As a polite child, I understand this perfectly :)
So if you want to relax and don't mind some shortcomings and sometimes idiotic sense of humor, this drama is for you.

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Completed
A Frozen Flower
2 people found this review helpful
by janec
Sep 2, 2020
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 3.0

Mind blowing

This movie literally blew my brain up and changed my worldview. It was shocking and beautiful. It was my first experience with this type of production and the last one. There is simply nothing like A Frozen Flower.
It is not a perfect movie, but it is certainly an interesting aesthetic experience. The story itself is beautiful, but a little shocking, so for me personally, it's a beautiful film that I never come back to.
Without a doubt, the best thing about the movie is the story itself. I must also praise the costumes and photos. The music is not memorable to me, hence the slightly lower rating.

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Completed
The Untamed
13 people found this review helpful
by janec
Feb 15, 2021
50 of 50 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 4.0
Acting/Cast 5.5
Music 3.0
Rewatch Value 10

Below average.

Plot - banal. Out of 50 episodes, I was only interested in one thread. Additionally, the plot is absurdly chaotic.
Pictures, costumes, scenography - typical. After you've seen 10 costume c-dramas, this one doesn't make a better impression than the others.
Special effects - as if I were watching cheap productions from the 1980s.
It is even worse with music, because its idiotic pathos reminded me of Hollywood blockbusters about ancient Rome "Quo Vadis?", "Ben Hur". "Cleopatra" etc. shot in the 60's.
All this would have disqualified this drama for me if it weren't for XZ. Sorry, that's my personal opinion, I hate WWX, which is terribly annoying, but XZ played it so daringly that it knocked me to my knees with his acting. I learned to ignore the cheesy special effects, annoying music, endless boredom of the plot and a whole host of shortcomings, errors and absurdities, because I was seduced by XZ's acting. Due to the XZ, I don't give this drama a well deserved 1 star. I don't care if fanatical CQL fans find my review intentionally malicious. For me, this drama is below average.

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Dropped 10/14
The Judge from Hell
15 people found this review helpful
by janec
Oct 21, 2024
10 of 14 episodes seen
Dropped 10
Overall 2.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Honest rant. It could have been good, it's awful.

This is a rant. If you like this drama, spare yourself the annoyance and don't read this review.
This drama is clearly not for me, and yet I made it through, albeit with pain, 9.5 episodes. The idea was interesting, yes, some of the characters too, at the beginning, but it all pales in comparison to the stupidity and awkwardness of the main character, who should be a big, powerful and terrifying demon from hell, meanwhile she is an infantile, empty shopaholic addicted to expensive brands and even in the most bad ass scenes is just pathetic and ridiculous. Her romance with the policeman and the policeman himself (HDO) are conducted as if they came out of a textbook for authors on how to write cloying, empty romances with unrealistic stakes building (and I don't mean fantasy, just plain reason). I know, because I write such. It works, as you can see from the high ratings, so if you're only interested in the melodramatic aspect of “bad women with golden heart” and “good men with darkness,” you'll definitely like this drama. Oh yeah, and poor special effects, with which the director slaps the viewer in the face shouting: “look how cool this is.” Well, it's not cool. “Supernatural” 20 years ago showed demons and supernatural phenomena better. Up to about episode 6-7 I rated this drama as average, but after what they are doing now, I feel sorry to watch. Schema and cliché. In fact, the scene at the funeral of the policewoman was the pinnacle of cringe filmmaking for me. Every word, every shot was a copy from the playbook of “how to move the audience with ML's suffering.” I myself don't know what's the worst thing about this drama, the hopeless plot, the annoying, flat characters or the brazen preying on the emotions of supernatural romance fans. In any case, I give it 2/10, because I laughed several times, although rather not at what the creators intended as funny. I feel that if I watch even one more minute, I will give this drama 0/10.

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Completed
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
7 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jan 19, 2021
20 of 20 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 1.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 1.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

Stupidity and Nonsense

This drama is a real phenomenon! This is one of the worst dramas I have ever seen. A hopeless plot, a nightmarish acting and generally one big nonsense. I watched it to the end, unable to take my eyes off and not believing that it could be even worse in the next episode. It was worse with each episode. The stupidity and nonsense of this drama struck me so much that I remember it after many years, although I would like to erase this absurdity from my memory :(
If I would start listing all the negative points of this drama, I would have run out of space. The only positive note is that Season Two never showed up.
This is the worst review I have given in my life, but seriously, whether looking objectively or subjectively, I did not notice anything positive in this drama. The worst of all was the acting, or rather the fact that acting was missing in this drama. There was only sighing and rolling eyes.

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Ongoing 10/12
Through the Darkness
15 people found this review helpful
by janec
Mar 9, 2022
10 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Perfect!

I am two episodes before the end and I think this drama is excellent. It is not a thriller drama but rather a filmed profiling textbook where the main aspect is not running after a wanted man with a gun in your hand but a tedious, time-consuming investigation that often leads nowhere and the case is solved by... chance. This is an intelligent drama, showing many psychological aspects of the criminal but also of the policemen who have to deal with brutal, nightmarish crimes whose cruelty is beyond human comprehension. It is not a thriller, not even a crime drama, it is a brilliantly filmed struggle of normal people who look into the abyss every day not to fall into it.
I've been waiting for a drama like this for a long time, and with two episodes to go, I'm completely satisfied.

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Dropped 21/24
Ancient Detective
2 people found this review helpful
by janec
Jun 19, 2020
21 of 24 episodes seen
Dropped 2
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
The story told by "Ancient Detective" is intriguing and definitely different from most costume c-dramas. The very climate of this drama is a combination of classic detective stories with pretty neatly depicted realistic realities of ancient China. Thanks to this, the drama has a peculiar atmosphere and irresistible charm. The characters are also remarkable and thanks to the cast, which does not appear so often on the first pages of the cheap press, I felt a certain freshness. The drama is excellent. Although criminal themes may leave something to be desired, I watched them with pleasure. Some episodes were hilarious. But ... I didn't watch this drama completely. I abandoned her almost before the very end, without any rational reason. I just got bored in the middle of the episode, stopped watching and didn't come back to it.
I gave the lowest score for music, which is really great, but a few songs are, um, say, from a different fairy tale.
I forgot to add that the battle scenes were great! Excellent wuxia!

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