KelpiView : They are my secret love too.
Overall impression:Hmm. My initial impression of the show is just that. Honestly, when it first started, it wasn't really on my weekly list at all. Though at this point, i do not know when i became so invested in it. The show itself starts slow, that i must say. getting past that slow start, is all it takes to make me into a obsessed fan and I truly appreciate the production crew in producing this gem of a show.
What I liked about it:
Great cast!
A good story meets a great cast, that is what i think My Secret Love is. Despite some of the cast member not having any experience under their belt like Bew (Park) and Por (Bear), as well as Kenji (Mai) and boat (Tim). They did exceedingly well portraying their characters. The leads are not very lovable at the start, that i must say. But the more i watch each week, the more that i like them for their character portrayals. However the supporting couples of this show totally stole my heart. all 3 of them lol.
Evolving Genre!
I initially thought this show could be tagged as a comedy due to the amount of laugh i had for the start of the show. As i mention, it started slow, but the only reason i continued watching it was because of the comedic elements that is present throughout the show. Tho, it was very comedy centric at the start which really helped in my opinion. As the story progresses, they showed glimpses of each couples backstory and trouble and that sets the mood for a concrete scenario in my opinion. The show should definitely be tagged as a rom com.
Awesome OST
As Im typing out this review, the ost from Jeff Satur (look) is playing in the background. That is how much i would love to give this song an honorary mention. It helps that its jeff satur. But the mood of the song itself fits well with the show that every time i hear the song, i would immediately associate it to the show.
What I disliked about it:
Slow Start.
No show is perfect in my opinion. as people we can never be satisfied fully. But that's really ok. One small detail that i wish could be done differently was the slow start, but that being said, its not a deal breaker for me as i enjoyed the comedy route that they begun with.
Inadequate ParkLee scenes.
Okay, this may be pushing it a little bit, BUT. hear. me. out. I just felt that there should be more ParkLee scenes in the show.... because.. just because.. i wanted more of them. lol. one of my favourite on screen secondary couple by far. their backstory was so cute. i wish they would make a story of park and lee in another series.
Did I enjoy it?:
I really enjoyed this one. as i mentioned, it started slow but really stuck on to me and i really enjoyed the ride.
Would I recommend it to others?:
Definitely. Though some people might be a lil bored of the university setting, but if you are ok with that and like a multiple couple show like me. and appreciate a good show, i think you should definitely give it a try! To me, a certain setting might not deter me to try a show because even though the setting is the same, its the cast that brings the character and story to life and that makes a whole lot of difference. So, if you have time and wanna be emotionally invested, give My Secret Love a try!
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KelpiView : Dancing to the tune of a lovestruck teenager
Overall Impression :The japanese BL scene has done it again. This was nothing short of an entertaining piece of work. everything from casting, story to scene edits and voiceovers are done well. even the side couple of the show was done in an exceptionally good way, even though, i honestly wanted more side couple scenes, but i will take what i get lol. Even though, this show is slightly longer in terms of your common japanese BLs, but good in a sense that it doesnt feel draggy in a sense.
What I liked about it :
Awesome cast!
The cast members did an awesome job in bringing the characters that they portrayed to life. none of the acting that was presented was awkward in anyway, which is a huge plus. As main leads, Kusakawa and Nishigaki (Akira and Shin) did a great job in their respective roles. but the one that made a lasting impression on me was the portrayal of Shuu and Asuka done by Inaba and Oku. Sakurako played by Toyoshima was a great portrayal of a support role, which is great thus, an honorable mention here.
Unique story!
What i felt about knowing that this would be a love story revolving around an old laundomat? "Eh?" was my initial thoughts. but it did transition quite well and how it was properly integrated into the show. Saying the laundromat is a main hotspot is an understatement because almost all of the characters are, in one way or another, had encounters in the laundromat. Plus the age gap romance as well as comedic scenes / storytelling, it has become one of the best japanese BL i have seen. Not to mention the little tid bits of side couple history that makes me want more. i hope they do a spin off on the side couple.
On point costumes!
Very seldom that when i watch something, i thought to myself "Wow, that shirt is a nice shirt.." :Opens Amazon to search for that exact shirt: This is what it has done to me. The costumes for this show is done well in regard that it wasnt over the top and very realistic. Some shows, would put the cast members in outfits that looks awesome in shots, but generally would be a lil bit unrealistic. The outfit for this show is selected well and has good aesthetic feel to it, albeit being simple.
What I disliked about it :
Too little side couple moments
I think this is my common dislikes about almost every single show i see LOL. but, dont get me wrong, the main couple is good, but i think that the side couple could have been shown more in terms of progress to really sell it as a side couple. Yes, i understand the meaning of being the "side" couple, obviously they wont get as much screen time as the main couple, but a lil bit more would do wonders to adoring fans.
Did I enjoy it? :
yes i did, all 12 glorious episodes. really hoping for some spinoff or SP episodes for the side couple. i need that. i really do. lol.
Would I recommend it to others? :
Definitely! that is if you dont mind a slower paced show. If you're the type that wants couples to get together at least at the middle of the season, then this isnt a show for you though. i will just leave that as a warning. overall, this show was very entertaining. definitely put it in your PTW list or even better start now because the show just ending like one day ago (at the writing of this review lol).
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KelpiView : A simple and short love story
Overall impression :If i could summarize the whole show in less than 5 words, it would be innocent, teenage love story. it was a good few hours, though there's nothing bad about the show, i felt it was nothing overly grand as well. it was a good show, dont get me wrong, i thoroughly enjoyed my time watching it, but it lacks the final sprinkle of garnish to make it phenomenal.
What I liked about it:
Great cast!
To be totally honest, i decided to pick this up because of Bever, Bigboom, Bell and Prat and they did not disappoint. I saw Bever, Bigboom and Prat when they appeared in Love Mechanics and thought that they were fine as support cast. Bever was good in his portrayal as X in this short romance show. Given this was Bell's first drama, she honestly did a good job as Mind. Im a fan of hers and happy that she stepped into the world of acting as well. Dont get me wrong, she is an awesome artist, but seeing her branch out is nice too!
Simple yet interesting story!
The story is simple yet not too boring. there's not much "big conflict" and the climax was a lil bit mellow for me, but for what it is, it is perfect as it is. I love the comedic scenes that they have slotted in to lighten the mood, which makes the show seems even more light. While i would say dont expect "overly heavy" plot points, there were some dialogues that they said that moved me.
What I disliked about it:
Too short.
4 episodes is a lil bit short in my honest opinion, but that being said, if they would drag it out, it might be a lil bit too draggy as the story is not overly complex. So, while i think that it is too short, i still believe the production crew made the right choice to leave it at 4 episodes. Would i have liked it if it was longer? i dont know. Do i want to see the cast in more episodes / scenes? yes totally, but i wouldnt want the show to suffer the effect of it being draggy at the end of it.
No skinship.
If you know me, you know i love a good NC scene in my BL dramas lol. This.. was a lil bit too tame for me LOL. But i understand that all shows have their own "rating" in a way, and this was a totally G rated BL drama. Do i wish for at least ONE NC scene between X and Q? yes i do, but given what the show is, it's fine. the best you get in this show is a cute cheek peck. lol.
Did I enjoyed it?:
Over the short period of time watching it, i enjoyed it a lot.
Would I recommend it to others?:
If you're looking for a simple and short BL drama, this is a good one. if you're just starting out watching BL or if you're not comfortable with BL action but would like to try it anyway, then this might be a good starting point as it is not plot heavy, not too long, very tame, as well as having a cute simple love story.
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KelpiView : Angsty love at its best.
Overall Impression:I had to stop for a while to ponder on the words that I might use to describe my overall impression of Love Mechanics, but in my totally unbiased opinion, I have settled for a few words. Awesome. Perfectly paced. well casted. Enough romantic and comedic scenes to go around. Adequate amount of skin. In my totally biased opinion, it is nothing short of a masterpiece.
What i liked about it:
Awesome cast!
The cast has done an awesome job of bringing the characters to life. Main leads, Yin and War, was perfect for their role. Other notable cast members that has left a good impression on me was Ormsin (Yiwaa), Got (Bar), Bonz (Yoo). Pharoah (Tee), Saran (Lee). Apart from good acting, the production team's choice of actors/actresses are well placed as well. Usually when a series's character get complimented that he/she looks like their mum/dad.. I would often give a slow chuckle and roll my eyes because they look nothing alike. BUT! this series, for the choice for Mark's mum.. it was funny how i feel that both of them has a similar smile / facial structure. They did not even need to go on the "you look like your mother" route for me to take notice.
Not to slow, nor too fast!
The pacing of the whole series was done well. it wasnt too hasty at the end nor was it too slow to watch. there's something in almost every episode. be it either a major issue or some character development. I guess this is as far as it can get from a slow romance. lol. i appreciate the pacing that kept me wanting more. Honestly even though i have watched the first tester series (En of love : Love Mechanics), meaning i know most of the plot already. But with the little addition and changes feels refreshing and it was like a totally new series to me.
Great flow in terms of storytelling!
Part of a good show is not only the cast members, but also how the story is told, how it unfolds and how it would be perceived. In terms of storytelling, Love Mechanic has a top spot in my rankings. Story climaxes are dealt with resolution as it comes one after another. In turn, i would need to credit the production team for their good choices in terms of cuts and placements. it was totally coherent and made the story more impactful than it already is.
What i disliked about it:
Inadequate side couple moments.
Ok, this may be just a personal preference, but i wished the side couples are shown a lil bit more than what is was shown. I know the story centers around VeeMark, but having a lil more side couple moments would make my heart fuller than it already is. GunBar could use a few more scenes. oh! i liked that fact that they showed tidbits of their upcoming shows namely Future (AnaFuse) as well as Call my name (YooKamphan) which i wish was also teased a lil bit more, but i shall wait patiently for the release of respective shows. though, my side couple syndrome aches. like a lot. lol.
Did i enjoy it?:
From the way i was gushing over the show up above, yes. I think i enjoyed the show a lot. a time well spent.
Would i recommend it to others?:
If angsty love is your favourite trope, then definitely give this a try. you will definitely fall in l ove with Yin and War for their character portrayal. That being said, I do think the show might not be for everyone, due to its angst. Yes, there are sweet moments in the show, but the most impactful scenes are the angsty ones lol. But give it a try if you have not, you might find yourself liking it more than you should. maybe. i guess.. hopefully. do what you want LOL. :shrugs:
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KelpiView: A Japanese BL Rom-Com that started too well but ended too fast.
First time writing a review here, so bear with me on my incompetence! i will keep it as spoiler free and rational as possible. Do note, this is a review, thus it contains my views on the show. Please dont take it as a fact. You might have a different opinion and thats totally fine.Overall impression :
A little bit too good at the start, which made the ending a little bit lackluster in comparison. Don't get me wrong, it was an awesome show, but comparing the starting and the ending, i was hoping it would end as good as the start.
What I liked about it:
Great talents!
in terms of character portrayals, both Naito Shuichiro and Seto Toshiki did an awesome job. Seto Toshiki's facial expression is one of the strong points of this drama as a whole.
Scenic cinematography!
not full of breathtaking views, but its aesthetic shots and camera angle works well in gluing the drama as a whole, taking wide angles to show good scenic shots.
Great music!
the ending theme song is fitting and ties to the show really well. thair love is like so close yet so far lol.
What I disliked about it:
Meh kisses.
Well, i've seen better kisses on screen to be honest, but the actors did great portraying that it was a passionate one, although it's just a lil peck.
Lackluster ending.
It has a good ending and i think if i dont compare it, its fine as it is. it was a good way to wrap up the show. But, as i mentioned, the show started out too well and too good that the ending, albeit good, seems a little bit lackluster in comparison. Though it was a sweet ending, i will not deny it that.
Did i enjoy it?
Yes, i did. a little bit too much it seems.
Would i recommend it to others?
Yes i would. If you're looking for a show to binge, this might be the one. if you're new into the BL genre and wanted to watch something as tame as Kieta Hatsukoi but with an onscreen kiss, this is the one.
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