thepinkvoyager
But first, to anyone who hasn't seen this drama yet, I have to say that if you're fond of out-of-the box story arcs, impressive plot twists and memorable confessions, this drama is devoid of any of these things because CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is the main focus. Thus, the plot is pretty basic, simple and predictable (from the get-go you will see who she'll end up with). There are no bitchy ex-girlfriends/fiancee's. No scary mothers. No amnesia. No birth secrets. No angst. Every single character is loveable and positive. The main girl is a 20-something office lady who goes by the name of Amemiya Hotaru. She's an efficient and responsible employee who works for an interior design company. She's very good at what she does and enjoys a great relationship with her co-workers. On the outside, Hotaru exemplifies a well-mannered, classy intelligent young woman. However, she harbors a "dirty" little secret: at home, she's a TOTAL SLOB who loves to laze around in tattered jerseys and a stained t-shirt with a can of beer in hand. She loves reading manga, doesn't cook, sleeps on her porch with stacks of newspapers for a blanket and talks to stray cats in her backyard. She hates socializing and is so not interested in dating. She's perfectly fine with her lifestyle until her manager, a 40-something soon-to-be divorcee neat freak, moves in with her.
THE GOOD:
CHARACTERS
Every character endeared itself to me. I don't think I've ever hated anybody. No one had managed to raise my blood pressure. I don't even think there was a villain in the story.
Amemiya Hotaru is the type of female lead that every ordinary girl can relate to. It's not because she is dirt poor and average-looking. In fact, she's pretty, smart, optimistic, and more than capable of whatever task she's given. But the childish side to her character as well as her quirks made her loveable. Although her disorganized and klutzy personality was exaggerated (to elicit laughs and provide comic relief, I'm sure), I found myself thinking "that is SO me" most of the time, whether it was about her being too lazy to clean her room, or being insecure in her interactions with the guy she really liked.
Unlike other dramas, most conflicts were cause by misunderstandings and a lack of communication. Yes, there were a LOT of unrequited side romances but the "love rivals" were understanding and considerate. I loved the interactions and relationships in the office as well. They all seemed like one big family who had concern for each other even with regards to matters that were more love-related than work-related. LOL, It made me think. The world would be so much better if things were like that, empty of crab mentality, envy and pettiness. Wouldn't it be wonderful? The characters suffered from lovesick problems from time to time, but they always seemed to be willing to help each other out and give advice to the ones who were problematic.
ROMANCE
There are actually two love stories in this drama:
The first was between Hotaru and Teshima. I honestly preferred Teshima throughout the drama because IMO, their romance was sweet and innocent. Kind of like that puppy love you experience for the first time in high school, you know? Butterflies in the stomach and racing heartbeats. I really liked the fact that he accepted her for who she is, weird habits and all. It was funny watching him and Hotaru being SO clueless as to how to express their feelings properly. In that aspect, they were very much alike. He was patient and sweet albeit a little dull in terms of personality (which gave a negative effect on the acting, unfortunately). However, I blame this on the writing. If only the character had been written with more depth, I would've found him to be a lot more interesting.
The second love story was between Hotaru and her boss, the main guy who, strangely enough, had the classic Second Male Lead Syndrome, Takano. Unlike her love story with Teshima which started with a kiss, theirs was a "slow burning" one. It started on the wrong foot as there was NO attraction on first sight. IMO, it was the best because both of them got to know each other's WORST traits first before they appreciated each other's positive areas. I admit though. At first though, I preferred Teshima over the boss because the latter treated her in a way that was typical of a father or an older brother. He constantly berated her for her untidiness, cooked for her, gave her love advice and basically became this all around go-to guy. They seemed more like best friends who often bickered over the tiniest things than potential lovers. Yet as the story progressed, I understood why they were so perfect for each other despite being TOTAL opposites. They helped each other grow and develop their weak areas. Takano helped her develop a little bit of finesse and taught her (begrudgingly) how to become, er, less of a slob, encouraged her whenever she was plagued with insecurities and guided her as she navigated her way to womanhood. Hotaru, on the other hand, taught him how to be more self-giving and considerate. Before they lived together, Takano was a workaholic and didn't know how to treasure personal relationships. When she came into his life, he learned to consider another person's well-being other than his own without being aware of it. They were also very comfortable around each other. Hotaru didn't need to force herself to change nor did she become too self-conscious when she was around him. It was the kind of relationship that is much needed in a long-term companionship like marriage. The steady kind of love that makes you feel secure and content, contrary to the blazing fire of passion often mistaken as "love" in a lot of romantic stories.
THE BAD:
I don't think there's anything negative to comment except the stiff acting and underdeveloped character of Teshima. He was the sole weak link. Maybe a veteran actor would've been better? Also, I thought it was weird that there was no sexual tension between Hotaru and Takano considering that they were still woman and man living under the same roof. I guess the writer of the manga preferred not to give it some focus in favor of the personal connection between the two. Dramas will always be dramas; you can never expect them to be a 100% reflection of reality, not even biographies.
FINAL VERDICT:
A "highly recommended" rom-com. The main reason why I love this drama is because I can relate to it so much! I developed this connection with the characters, especially the main girl Hotaru because in many ways I could see myself in her. Her journey back to love after years of being independent and single, her insecurities with her relationship, her heartbreak and growth from being a "dried up fish" for many years to womanhood, not to mention the wonderful humor and acting that made this little J-drama such a gem! I can't remember how many times I burst out laughing because of her and Takano's squabbles and antics. I loved the slow romantic development between the OTP. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves romantic comedies or just any person looking for a very light and funny drama that's full of heart.
I'm looking forward to watching the second season next.
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I'm not into Taiwanese dramas but I loved this one. Some people who finished The Fierce Wife complained that it was infuriating and moved at a snail's pace. In my opinion, they never got the whole point. This is a story about GROWTH. It is about a woman who found her self-worth after the breakdown of her 10-year marriage. It was slow because the writer and director took much care in developing the conflict in the story and building up the anticipation in order for the viewers to gain a better understanding of the relationships and motivations.
The lead character An Zhen is everything that a man could ask for in a wife. She was loving, thoughtful, sweet and self-giving to a fault. It was obvious from the very start that she was that "type" who would give up everything for her man in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, her husband never appreciated her for who she was nor her efforts because he was so used to having her around, pandering to his every whim and his every need. He abused her love, destroyed her trust and even became so thoughtless as to force her to divorce him while she was recuperating from a car accident at a hospital. Thus, the journey of An Zhen is what makes the drama engaging and uplifting. Indeed, she had become "fierce" but not in the way that most people would think. No she did not become this femme fatale on a mission of revenge against her husband and his mentally-unstable mistress. She became fierce in a way that she was able to find her inner strength and proved that boring, homely wives like her can go beyond the stereotypes and reach boundaries beyond their expectations. I loved not only her physical transformation (Sonia Sui is gorgeous!) but also her emotional transformation.
My favorite side characters in the drama are easily the women: Rui Xuan, the funny sister-in-law, and He Ai Lin. I liked Rui Xuan because she provided comic relief alongside her husband. He Ai Lin...well she never gave a good first impression but she grew on me. She was the typical beautiful and successful career woman who never seemed to get a break until she married the man who was not her type but who treated her so well. They provided such a strong support for An Zhen and dealt with Wei En like no other woman could!
I just have one gripe: I wish that the character of Wei En was given more layers and that the reasons for the affair were more fleshed out. I didn't really like how she was merely designated as a "psychotic" self-centered mistress worth hating. It was necessary to make the viewers understand why the affair took place on a much deeper level. Was there another reason to the affair aside from the fact that Rui Fan was bored and experiencing some sort of mid-life crisis? When is enough truly enough? What truly went wrong? Not everything can be clearly defined as purely black or white after all. In life, we often deal with and make choices based on grey areas.
Would I recommend this drama though? Yes, definitely! But this calls for a more mature way of thinking since it is a journey in itself. Also, the ending (which i LOVED btw) is not really meant to resolve the main conflict in concrete terms. I'd recommend this simply because the drama proved to me that you can be strong without being bitter and that you can be kind without being a doormat. It's a human story that anybody can relate to. Also, the performances of Sonia Sui and James Wen were really great and their chemistry was good even though they played an estranged married couple.
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I love this story despite its disconsolate premise and tragic ending. Why? Because first, it makes you grateful in life, of the fact that your family is still with you despite the countless bills you have to pay, of the fact that you're alive and healthy despite the heartbreak you may have suffered or the job you lost just a week ago. It never fails to remind you to be thankful of the people you have in your life and those little things you may take for granted every day (like being able to walk, use your hands, or just simply being able to see the world), to be compassionate, and to be selfless to certain family members who need your time and love. Second, Aya's life story teaches you how to be strong and keep your faith in God. I cannot even imagine what I would do if I had been in Aya's shoes. Imagine, suffering from a ruthless disease without any hope of recovery? Agonizing. Yet, she managed to deal with this very hard blow at such a young age with the maturity of a person maybe twice her age. At 15, she had the whole world at her feet. And yet, she needed to handle this heavy burden. You may ask yourself, "how could this happen to her? why would God allow her to experience such suffering?" For me, it was because she was especially chosen for this mission: to uplift people who had lost hope or are about to lose hope. Losing hope is the most dangerous thing that can happen to anybody. Hopelessness prevents people from thinking that there is still an opportunity to change things and that problems are transient. It's a path to suicide. And it hurts not only yourself but also the people who care about you and those unfortunate enough to come across your way because it makes you numb to another person's pain.
Sawajiri Erika was wonderful, just wonderful. I'm sure her performance in this drama would've made the real Aya in heaven proud and happy. It was earnest as I had felt her struggles, her fears and her gratitude as if she was a close friend. I thought Ryo Nishikido was wooden at first. He didn't seem to express any feeling apart from anger and standoffishness. But later on, when he fell in love with Aya I could see him gradually open up after his brother's tragic death. It was difficult to 'get through' him because he had shut himself out. Not even his parents could understand him. But Aya broke down those walls. I'm grateful that Aya's real mother made the suggestion to the producers that Aya be given a fictional love interest like Haruto. It softened somewhat the impact of her suffering and death because she was given another person to support her and love her. The real Aya must have been really lonely.
Aya's family were wonderful as well. I especially loved the mother and younger sister. Honestly, I initially didn't like her sister because she was petty and mean but she proved me wrong. I loved that she was very protective of Aya whenever people made fun of the latter because she had begun to walk in a funny way as the disease progressed. Oh and the OST? Listening to 'Konayuki' all over again makes my eyes tear up.
There are instances when a drama loses its luster and charm after a lapse of time but you know what, the fact that I watched it more than a couple of years back is immaterial because I realized that the emotional impact and the lessons which this drama gave me remain. So what if it's a "sad" drama? Don't be put off by the nature of the story, it being a tearjerker and such, and that the ending (or every episode, depending on how sensitive you are as a viewer) will most likely make you weep and sniffle. But watch it because it's a story about strength, about hope, about keeping it together no matter what happens in life. Life, after all, is a battlefield. We need to pick ourselves up after every fall, every heartbreak and every failure. Aya was able to do it. So should we.
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Like everybody else I absolutely adored MoonSun at the beginning. I was drawn to the love story between Yeon-woo and Crown Prince Lee Hwon because the portrayal of both Yeo Jin-goo and Kim Yoo-jung captured the magic and innocence of young love so perfectly. The wonderful chemistry between these two teenagers was so captivating that it seemed almost ethereal. The youngsters, together with their adult sidekicks (notably, Hyung Sun, the chief eunuch) played their parts beautifully and comically. It was such a joy to watch that I looked forward to watching it while it was still airing in South Korea. Also, the fantasy/supernatural element and "political connivance" further added to the intrigue that kept my interest which culminated in Yeon-woo's supposed death and Hwon's breakdown outside the palace (I swear, Yeo Jin-goo is such a phenomenal actor it's hard to believe he's just 15 years old! I can imagine him getting acting awards left and right when he gets older).
But then the adults came in and everything went downhill. How can I say that everything went downhill when things worked out in the end for the OTP in the story, you might ask? Well, for one thing there was NO character development. Each character remained stagnant. From the very start until the very end, they remained the same in terms of personality, conflicts and the way they reacted to the situations around them. Only the physical traits differed. Maybe, if they got actors who looked exactly like the younger cast instead of the ones they got, I wouldn't know the difference. Also, I could not, for the life of me, understand why the two main guys, Hwon and Yang-myung, were still so hung up on a dead girl for years? Sure it was pretty obvious that Yang-myung had a crush on her but really? His feelings for her made him pathetic and he was as good as dead even if he hadn't died in the end. Kim Soo-hyun was the sole strong link and he was the only reason why I managed to finish the entire series. Han Ga-in, as beautiful as she is, was mediocre at best. She had zero chemistry with Kim Soo-hyun, which is a pity since the wonderful connection between the younger Yoo-jung and Jin-goo supposedly set the stage for the adult counterparts' romance thereafter. And Jung Il Woo, what the heck happened to him? I couldn't stand that he was so weepy all the time. I mean, come on. He's got a pretty good range. He did really well in 49 days but in this drama, he's stuck in this woe-to-me, heartbreak mode from the moment he replaced Lee Min Ho until his death. Everybody obsessed over each other: Lee Hwon with Wol, Yang Myung with Wol, the queen Bo-kyung with Hwon, princess Min Hwa with Yeom, the servant girl Seol with Yeom. Okay, Chae-woon didn't obsess over anyone but still, he was like a statue here. I don't remember him speaking at all apart from two or three lines for every five episodes or so. It was basically all about obsessive, unrequited love and nothing else, not even a decent political storyline or even just a fantasy arc. I guess I need to blame the writers then for creating flat, one-dimensional characters. These people wasted the actors' potential by not giving them an opportunity to transform and mature (I know it was based on a book but couldn't they improve on the material, even just a little?). The villains settled into a typical Disney-like wickedness. It was frustrating to watch when you know that this drama could've been so much more. I wanted more conflict, more depth, more angst yet Moon Embracing the Sun failed to deliver. It was a fluffy drama, sweet as candy, but sorely lacking in substance and pretty much forgettable.
Despite the mediocre, one-dimensional storyline, I'm still giving the acting in this drama a 9 solely for the wonderful child actors, Kim Soo Hyun and the funny old actor who played Yung Sun (I adored him!). But the rest? Nah. I still believe to this day that Han Ga In was a terrible choice for the role of Yeon Woo. Yoo-jung was just, amazing. Han Ga In was more like a wallflower than lead actress. This is the same case with the actress who played Jan Di in Boys Over Flowers. It's hard for me to love a drama if the lead actress is horrible or just plain bland, most especially if the lead actors are really good because it further highlights just how weak/irritating/unsatisfactory their performances are.
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THE GOOD
1. Gosh the ACTING, people.
Go Soo is definitely one of the most talented Korean actors ever. You know, his character in this drama demanded a lot from him as an actor considering the journey he had to go through in order to redeem himself. I rarely say this about a male Korean actor but I just have to commend his performance because darn it, he was absolutely BRILLIANT. His delivery was emotional, raw and powerful from the moment we see him crying and banging his head out of grief in prison after receiving news of his mother's death, to his wandering on the streets of Shanghai and eating leftovers in garbage cans, to his total transformation into a powerful and shrewd businessman determined to avenge his mother and clear his name. I liked Lee Da Hae's performance too. Contrary to her bubbly, colorful personality in My Girl, her acting here was restrained and somber. The lingering sadness, subdued by this quiet and carefully-held dignity, was conveyed well without making her totally boring or mediocre. Also, if you saw A Gentleman's Dignity, Lee Jong-Hyuk would be a familiar face to you. In Green Rose, he was a debonair, suave and charming villain who brought hell to Jung-Hyun and surreptitiously robbed him his future. So imagine my surprise when he became this immature, womanizing middle-aged man in a frothy rom-com. It was a full 360 degree turn from Green Rose for sure but still refreshing to watch (see, this is what I like about Korean actors, they're so versatile).
2. The Journey.
So much injustice had been done to the main character that you can't help but share the feelings of despair, anger, hopelessness and sadness with him. You can't help but feel vindicated yourself too after seeing him regain what was rightfully his in the first place. This was a man who wanted nothing more than to make his mother proud and live a simple life with the woman he loved. For him to be framed for murder and arson and lose everything he held dear due to another man's quest for revenge was heartbreaking. And yet his poignant transformation due to the heavy trials he experienced and his ultimate victory was so worth watching. And the best part was, his heart remained good. The methods he used against some of his enemies weren't malicious but instead forced them to reflect on their lives and gave them the opportunity to change. His perseverance, in spite of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, made the victory all the more sweet.
3. The Romance.
I think the love story and romantic angst were the best things about this drama. The scenes of Jung-Hyun (Go Soo) and Soo-Ah's (Lee Da Hae) encounters in the latter half when he assumed a different identity were quite painful to watch because the longing they had for each other was apparent. I loved seeing how conflicted they both felt in their situation: Jung-Hyun wanting to disclose his secret to Soo-Ah but he can't, at least not until he is able to clear his name. Soo-Ah being drawn to Jung-Hyun but fighting it because one, it's impossible for a person to resurrect from the dead; and two, she's dating the bad guy already.
THE BAD
I only have one gripe about this drama and it's the unfolding of the "mystery" surrounding that fateful night which resulted in Lee Jung-Hyun's trial and conviction. I was hoping for a more complex backdrop of the events, a more exciting revelation because this mystery is practically the reason why viewers continue to watch Green Rose in the first place: to know what truly happened, who were the real culprits, how it happened and the motivation behind the crimes. Sorry, I was not sold on the answers the writers gave in the end. I would've appreciated it if it was more intelligently written. But I still love the drama.
The plot was kind of impossible to believe at times but I think what mattered most was the character growth Jung-Hyun had to undergo, from being a gullible, humble and simple office worker to a wealthy and powerful man without losing his sense of morality in the process. Most characters go berserk in their pursuit for vengeance(e.g. Mawang, Resurrection, just to name a few). Here, it was his love for his mother that sustained him when he hit rock bottom, especially during those times when finding persons necessary in the resolution of his case proved to be very difficult. It was this love that kept him sane.
I recommend Green Rose to anyone looking for a good romance revenge melodrama that does NOT end in tragedy. Okay, sure, it's a 2005 drama so the quality isn't as polished as revenge dramas of recent years. That's a given so you need to be more patient while watching. Furthermore, the series is quite slow in the beginning. But once the transformation of Jung-Hyun kicks off, everything becomes more engaging and exciting.
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THE GOOD
The beginning was heart-stopping and explosive. The groundwork for the revenge arc was established well in the beginning for Lee Yoon Sung's adoptive father to pursue. Despite the constant nagging and pressure from the father, Yoon Sung never followed his wishes. He never became a cold-blooded murderer; instead, he pursued the corrupt politicians who wronged his "real" father through justifiable and legal means (never mind the technical procedures though). I liked that Kim Nana was such a kick-ass heroine who was willing to fight and protect the guy herself. She was pretty, smart and sassy, a great combination for a loveable heroine. We seriously need more K-drama female leads like her because it's nice to see strong women in shows once in a while. Did I mention how much I loved the way most of those slimy, corrupt men were brought to justice under Yoon Sung's skillful machinations? Prosecutor Young-joo was one of my favorite characters and it was such a tragic moment when he died. And I have to admit that I was lapping up Min Ho's fight scenes. He really looked good doing those stunts. LOL. This is by far, his best Korean series to date because we got to see his acting range getting pushed a little bit although I do think he still needs more experience to put more depth to his acting. My issue with him is that he is too much of a pretty-faced, insanely popular idol that for me, it's hard to distinguish him from the characters he portrays, if you know what I mean. To be a true actor, I think, one must disappear completely into his character. In Lee Min Ho's case, his charisma as "Lee Min Ho" often if not always overshadows his performance.
THE BAD
My goodness, the ending of this drama was such a hot mess I don't even know where to begin. Honestly, what really happened in the end? There was no actual closure to Nana and Yoon Sung's 'romance', or his relationship with his real mother. There were a few confusing time jumps in the last episode which left me scratching my head and wondering whether or not a second season was coming. It felt rushed and disorganized.
THE WEIRD
I don't know how to classify this drama's genre. Sure it was quite serious with the revenge thing but I don't know, somewhere along the way, these weird beats and occasional bursts of humor and cute made me feel a bit off. I guess it's because I'm not used to this kind of atmosphere in revenge/action dramas. Perhaps the romance was supposed to control the reigns, I don't know. Also, I find it hard to believe that Yoon Sung had never been influenced by the cynicism and callousness of his adoptive father. I mean come on, the man practically taught him how to KILL since he was a baby; he was exposed to the violence and bitter hatred of his father for many years. Wasn't there any reasonable side effect to his psyche at all? Experiencing this kind of childhood SHOULD have some negative effect on any kid. I was expecting to see him slightly jaded and cynical. Anyway, I loved the internal conflict he had between his sense of morality and his duty to his father.
Would I recommend this? Yep, I would. City Hunter was highly entertaining and enjoyable to watch.
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These three words describe exactly how I feel about this unique drama which gave me a roller coaster ride from beginning until the end. I watched this two years ago but until now the impact of the story remains fresh. Perhaps because I never got my fairytale ending wish for my OTP? I admit. It hurt a lot to have my hopes and expectations dashed in the final episode since I've grown to love and root for the main characters. However, this doesn't mean that you should avoid this drama like plague if you still haven't seen it. LOL. Quite the contrary actually. Granted, 49 Days was not a perfect drama. The plot had some loopholes and some clues leading to the big revelation at the end were scattered clumsily throughout. But damn, the story was just so moving, deep and emotional. What got me the most was the main guy's unrequited love for one of the main female leads. I know it's not the most memorable love story in the drama. But it got to me because of the way it portrayed romance at a MUCH deeper level. Most love stories always start out as a love-hate thing or contain the usual "you and me against the world" formula. But here, I was moved by how intimately the guy knew the girl, how he knew her so well that it came to a point where his heart could recognize her even if she was physically somebody else. I haven't encountered this type of romantic love before in any drama and I loved it, even if it seemed so bizarre and too impossible to happen in real life. I loved that it didn't need physical intimacy to show just how pure, steadfast and selfless that love was across the screen. It was a quiet type of love, something you wouldn't be able to detect but which surprisingly ran deep that not even time nor a comatose state could shake. This is rare even for an Asian drama and it was unforgettable for me. Then there was the Betrayal between friends and hidden, painful truths involving family members that were hard to accept for our main character. Yet in spite of it all, true love was still able to heal and save the characters literally and figuratively. It gave the main characters strength, helped them move on and gave the villains hope to redeem themselves.
I cannot recommend this drama enough. Yes it's a tragedy. Yes some people die. But it's still worth watching. Why? Because it makes you reflect. It gives you something to ponder on long after you've seen it. This is something that dramas should aim for.
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THE GOOD
Two reasons:
1.) The mind games
I loved how this drama stimulated my mind. I loved the mathematical formulas, theories and solutions to the problems in every round. It was quite thrilling and impressive to watch. I've often wondered just how hard the writer of the manga and the staff of the dorama must have worked in researching about mathematical principles every day to keep things going. It's not easy to come up with new tricks in every episode, and in very creative ways at that!
2.) Akiyama Shinichi
I just loved how brilliant he was! His tactics were meticulously thought out. Definitely one of the most intelligent characters ever. There were a lot of instances when I'd think that their team would face an inevitable defeat because of a "winning" strategy by the opposing team...only to see him reveal a genius plan that would have Einstein make a run for his money in the end. It also helped that Matsuda Shota looked really hot and good-looking LOL. It's pretty heartwarming to see that he's always so protective of Nao, considering how jaded and detached he is from people. I personally think that they would make a great couple because they balance each other out. But most importantly, they transform each other for the better through mutual trust and support. This is one of those OTP's which I liked who had never been romantic nor will they ever be in the future. I have to admit though...as much as I tried to be understanding of Nao's savior-complex and honest-to-a-fault personality because I knew that she would become stronger and wiser as the story progressed, my irritation with her remained. I guess it's because I often found her tendency to trust idiotic and dangerous. I mean, she's involved in a cynical and sadistic game where people MUST cheat and lie in order to survive. As a result, she becomes a favorite target in the game because she's just so easy to fool. I guess every drama with this theme needs a moral compass right? However, I do think that her pure heart does have its benefits. Her ability to win the trust of her fellow contestants contributed to their team's victory at times. The objective of the Liar Game was to prove the innate edacity and selfishness of the human heart. But Nao's character was made to counteract this belief...and for that, she made a huge impact on people corrupted by greed (Fukunaga) and bitterness (Akiyama).
THE BAD
Like I said, the acting grated on my nerves. I guess this is the problem I have with live action dramas of mangas (except HYD). The acting performance is over the top, to the extent that it gets irritating. The performances of the actors were forced, most notably by the actors who played Fukunaga Yuji (this guy!) and Kanzaki Nao (Toda Erika). I knew it was a live adaptation of a manga so I was trying my best to be forgiving. Unfortunately, there were just so many instances in which their exaggerated expressions grated on my nerves that it was no longer possible for me to fully enjoy the show. The characters over the entire series and movie, apart from Nao and Akiyama, were stereotypical, one-dimensional and suffered meager character growth although this might not be the case in the manga, I don't know, I haven't read anything beyond the first chapter.
The movie, Liar Game: The Final Stage
It was fun. I enjoyed it more than the series actually. Nao finally grew up, the game ironically taught them all the importance of trust and the dialogue between her and Akiyama in the final scene satisfied me.
Would I recommended it? Well, yes, to anyone looking for a mentally-stimulating show. In that aspect, Liar Game exceeds expectations with all those mind games, twists, and psychological battles.
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Whew, what can I say about this drama other than, objectively speaking, it's pretty much a masterpiece? If this had been a Hollywood film, I can dare say that it would even win an Oscar for Best Picture and earn Best Actor nominations for Joo Ji Hoon and Uhm Tae Woong. Every aspect of it was done well, from the plot, directing, to the production and acting. I like revenge thrillers like "Green Rose" and "Time Between Dog and Wolf" but hands down, The Devil is the BEST revenge melodrama ever. Why? Because it shows perfectly the tragic consequences of wrath and hatred. It shows how a man can be so consumed by thoughts of revenge that he becomes ENSLAVED by it with no hope for escape except in death. Some revenge dramas end up justifying the actions of the main characters and even grant them some sort of consolation that they deserved the "happy ending" they got after all the suffering they went through in the hands of their "victims" who did them wrong. But the thing is, it does not work that way. The cancer of hatred and vindictiveness can and will catch up with you. It will devour you until you and the lives around you get totally destroyed, leaving nothing in its wake. There is nothing but darkness inside the soul. No hope for love to redeem it. The writer was able to convey this well, with symbolism from Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" and Rodin's art for re-enforcement, and I commend her for it. Furthermore, the actors gave unbelievable performances, notably veteran Uhm Tae Woong and pretty boy Joo Ji Hoon. Yes, that same Joo Ji Hoon who played the wooden, cold prince in the hit "Goong". He was outstanding! I never knew he had it in him and I'm glad he took the risk and accepted this role because he was able to stretch his acting skills and successfully proved to us that he is more than just a cute face.
So, after all that, you would think I'd recommend this drama right?
Actually, no. I'm going to be honest and say Mawang is the type of drama that is NOT for the faint-hearted. It's not for everyone. It's utterly dark, tragic and sinister. From the title alone, you can deduce how the storyline will unfold. The manner in which the revenge plot is executed is analogous to how the devil uses people to cause pain and even kill others...without them really being aware of it. Like a puppetry where the actual person out for revenge manipulates innocent people into committing crimes which he himself wants to do without the fear of being "caught". Thus, the methods can get unpleasant and even downright cruel. It can be hard to watch at times. But like I said, the drama is very well-executed. So if you can withstand the bleakness of the story, go ahead and see it for yourself. Just don't say you haven't been warned.
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This review may contain spoilers
This movie was simply amazing. It may start out as a typical melodramatic high school love story but wait until the end. You will be FLOORED by the twist and the fact that the main actor Jay Chou was also the director, producer, and musical composer for this movie! He looked too young to be the director. But then again, he did play a high school student so that might have deceived me. LOL. He is one extremely talented guy. Although I'm not that impressed with the acting, the music was brilliant. It seriously deserved a perfect 10 (or a 20 if you dig classical music). Cinematography was beautiful and the atmosphere was bittersweet, kind of like experiencing a "Throwback Thursday" moment because it involved a love that transcends time. I want to post more but I really don't want to put quasi-spoilers lest it would ruin it for those who haven't seen it yet. I have the tendency to make hints about a lot of things when I review and I don't want to do that here mainly because the supernatural element in the story (which is basically the twist) made the romance special and out of the box. However if there IS one sentence I can use to summarize the movie, it's this: "Secret" is a story about a young couple and the impossible lengths they are willing to take to be together. Take note on the phrase 'impossible lengths' because it actually denotes a literal meaning.
Would I recommend this? A definite YES! It didn't receive awards for nothing.
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Hana Yori Dango is the best adaptation of the Boys Over Flowers manga even though it wasn't the first that I saw. I watched Meteor Garden sporadically since it came out in 2001 and then the Korean Boys Over Flowers. I was halfway through BOF when I decided, out of curiosity, to watch the Japanese dorama. At first, I must admit, I didn't find anything remotely impressive because let's face it, the guys are not really that good-looking (and as a rule, the F4 bullies are supposed to be hot, drop dead gorgeous or something). Matsumoto Jun, Oguri Shun and the others just seemed so ordinary, you know? But as I continued watching the dorama (and abandoned the Korean one without regrets), I became enamored by Matsujun's acting. Seriously, can this guy get even more adorable? He was hilarious, I could imagine Domyouji Tsukasa in the manga coming to life! But he could also be fierce, violent and downright irrational with serious anger management issues. We all know Lee Min Ho is very good-looking and a pretty decent actor but strangely though, Matsujun's performance alone eclipsed Min Ho and eventually, I couldn't imagine anybody else play Domyouji except the latter despite his "imperfections". Matsujun really endeared himself to me. Moreover, his chemistry with Inoue Mao was amazing. You know how in other versions, you'd rather root for the Makino-Rui pairing because Domyouji's character seemed too crazy? In this drama, I was for Makino and Domyouji all the way! They looked lovely together that I tended to overlook his unreasonableness and fiery temper simply because the guy portraying him was so good at it! Inoue Mao was also perfect for the role. She was steely and determined. Her strength was apparent yet there was still that naivete and delicate feminine quality to her that made her loveable as well. And whenever they interacted together onscreen, this amazing connection forms and you get pulled right in. Their chemistry made HYD a huge hit despite the fact that the original storyline was utterly ludicrous, cliche and soap opera-like. The limited number of episodes was an advantage too because it prevented the story from becoming too draggy, unlike its Taiwanese and Korean counterparts. The bromance in this version was also very convincing and you can tell that even if they were shallow spoiled brats, they still treated each other like brothers. The guys could count on each other through thick and thin.
Hana Yori Dango definitely had been my guilty pleasure in the past. Out of the 3 versions I've seen, this is the only one that made me a bit obsessed XD (blame it on Matsujun and Inoue's chemistry!). I won't recommend it anymore because I'm sure most if not all watched it already. Rewatch value? A resounding 10 of course because I enjoyed re-watching it myself back then. Their silly banter and sweet, toe-curling moments (even if some were cheesy) brought out all those warm fuzzy feelings and well, who wouldn't want that? LOL.
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