moonlight
This review may contain spoilers
Entertaining, yet underwhelming ending
In short, this drama looked promising at the start and was entertaining, but the ending felt unsatisfying. The acting was good, engaging and believable, especially the main leads. Some parts were amusing while other parts were frustrating or sad.The biggest concern is that there isn't a clear premise or moral stance. Not sure what was the point writers were trying to make- that cheaters stay powerful and victims are obliged to forgive quickly? A story like this ought to give the message that adultery/cheating is never okay by showing the cheaters getting their asses kicked and suffering serious consequences, and the victim becoming more and more empowered. But here they whitewashed the adulterers and gave them happy endings where they both became more powerful in their careers, when it should have been the opposite. Meanwhile the victims, the FL & all the kids, got unsatisfying endings, they weren't thriving in every way, which should've been the case since that will give hope to viewers who have similar circumstances in life, and it will make the moral stance clear.
In the beginning, FL was being controlled by the cheaters, and by the end the scales should have tipped, but that didn't happen and she continued to be the recipient of their selfish demands. And one of FL's grievances was that she had never been loved & cherished by a man in her life, therefore it's necessary for her ending to show that being fulfilled with her being treated right by 2nd ML or another guy, she doesn't need to be dating him but it should be shown. Her ex, the ML was the cause of all the problems, so he should be given proper retribution for his poor choices, but he didn't suffer as much and instead he continued to reign over everyone as the patriarchal authority figure, as usual.
Overall I guess this drama felt unsatisfying because the characters didn't change much inside, the story makes you expect character arcs and some ass kicking but nah didn't happen, and it's a bit of a waste of potential 'cause it had all the materials to be so much better.
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This review may contain spoilers
Simple college drama
-May be spoilers-Story:
With a mysterious love letter in the background, the story pans around college students with typical troubles like dating, money, clubs, classes, friendships etc. Nothing groundbreaking sure but lighthearted. The six main characters surprisingly all have their own wholesome traits and I learned some things too.
Story-wise I wish there was less DRAMA and more fluff- why not? I don't know why writers had to insert recycled toxic characters & give them so much screentime. There were tropes from the last decade which felt unrealistic for busy college students. Rosa would always magically appear in front of Jimin/Haneul for the sole purpose of causing misunderstandings and so much was predictable. Haneul Jimin's story got boring by the end and made little sense. Less stress from the other four MCs. Since it's a college drama it wouldn't hurt to have more college events and meetups in place of stressful characters who ultimately contributed nothing much but stress.
Cast Acting:
I'm so thankful they released this drama in the end because I really wanted to see Jaehyun's acting and he did well! I always liked Park Hyesoo on screen and she was good here too. (Hope that she's innocent in her case and is able to return to acting because if she's innocent then it's such a shame...) I was looking forward to their chemistry and they didn't disappoint.
My favourite characters were Young because she's rational and Mokjin because he's considerate and clean and that's underappreciated lol. They did well.
The other actors were decent too, nothing deep but just appropriate for how this drama's characters are written.
Music:
I heard an OST or two but they weren't memorable.
Rewatch value:
If I rewatch it'll probably be for characters Jooah & Minho. One of the best friends to lovers pairs done right, they were cute, cared about each other and were there to support each other at their most important moments, which is wholesome. Idk if such long time friends can become lovers irl but yeah.
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Goryeo meets Futuristic UFOs
I was super excited for this movie since the casting of KTR, RJY & KWB was announced. Dang, those three in one movie! So going into it, I was shook when more and more famous faces kept popping up! I think almost every single actor was familiar lol.It's a futuristic alien sci-fi fantasy meets comical ancient martial arts xianxia/wuxia, with good CGI. Who should watch it? Fans of the genres, or those who like comical action-filled movies, or people looking to watch something light-hearted on a movie night. So Jisub, Kim Taeri Ryu Jun Yeol, Yeom Jung Ah, Jo Woojin and more are all great here and especially Kim Woo Bin was very entertaining. If you're their fan, definitely consider watching. There are some fresh colorful characters and lots of action.
Personally, a couple tiny hiccups & how it could be improved. Sometimes there's a lot happening simultaneously which could get confusing for some people. I rewatched to understand everything better. Then the colorful characters could have become more relatable if their inner conflict was communicated- say with close up shots at tense moments. Because these are all great actors and they would take it to the next level. Instead the audience was more of a spectator watching their actions happen rather than being invested in their choices. It's normal for the genre though, I know, I've watched similar movies , comedy is the vibe, therefore it's not a big concern.
Loved the flying jeep. KWB's roles were fun. He and RJY should keep their long-ish locks lol they look great. Can watch KTR any day. Liked the cats and the pair of Taoists. There were some unique things and characters that made it fresh, and I loved the concept of time.
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This review may contain spoilers
Is friendship or love more intimate?
If dialogue serves a purpose, here it will give an insight into the relationship of the characters by reflecting their comments as their thoughts of each other. It's like they're talking in hints. That's the feeling I got while watching this short film. I thought they chose an interesting way to tell a common plot- while keeping it open too. It's a complete story for me.Most telling are the characters' comments about the birds, who can only be symbolic of them at two different stages. Because, when the birds are close together, the girls are glued to each other too- and when the birds have space between them, the girls have physical distance between them too. So the birds are them. Closeness represents love for Fuji and friendship for Maki. When there is distance, Maki wonders if it's love, but for Fuji it's definitely not. Being mere friends is half hearted for Fuji, since friends would go their own way when they're tired of each other, which is what the girls actually do at the end. Dusk sets on their relationship and like a break up, they go their separate ways.
I think you can interpret an untold story by reading between the lines. How Maki holds the umbrella for Fuji, how Fuji is affected by Maki's gaze, but it may not be romantic for her. How Fuji feels something in the hand movement they do, but it takes a while for Maki to get it. How someone catches them on the rooftop and they run off to the beach that's more free. How Maki loves the moon and Fuji similarly, from the bottom of her heart, and Fuji is silent.
When they first join their hands, they acknowledge the ways they don't match. The whole hand thing they do probably represents intimacy.
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Follow your truth
Possibly the most women-empowering jdorama. A refreshing nonconformist among the usual sight of submissive or somehow oppressed women in j-media and society. Had me hooked with the artsy, interesting characters with relatable stories. The art and style made a feast for the eyes. Loved the friendships. The men were likable characters though it was the women's moment to shine I guess. The spotlight was given to women in various stages of life facing various life events. Limi's empowering personality was almost too perfect, though inspiring to anyone for sure. At it's core is a message to follow your heart and be you. Enjoyed it.Was this review helpful to you?
They show us how to be happy adults
A variety show about funny best friends hanging out: there are dumb moments, random jokes and contagious laughter! Shen Yue and the wild boar family are so chill, wholesome and funny together, friendship goals! Episode 2 onwards is more lively. They love to laugh, it's like they're in touch with their inner-child and watching them is a mood booster. Shen Yue is not only adorable and pretty af, but also her personality is amazing so no wonder her friends are lovely too. Personally, they remind me to not take things too seriously, laugh and have fun with my friends. I hope there's a season 2 'cause the world needs more of their silliness ? Actually the world really needs to know about this funny happy wild boar family !Was this review helpful to you?
