If you are searching for a light but simply addicting drama, you should pick Long Vacation. The story may began just like the other 'living under the same roof' dramas, but the setting is on 1996 so it was different from other recent dramas. No handphones or emails, so it was more about the characters dealing with themselves regarding their feelings. The simple twist at the end of every episode will keep you want to know more about what will happened next. And the ending is simply beautiful.
The chemistry between the main couple really worked out, it was fun to see them together. Kimura Takuya is as excellent as ever and Yamaguchi Tomoko did a very nice job playing a miserable 31 years old woman. The other casts are also awesome, I didn't find any of them annoying.
The soundtrack is also one of the winning factor for this drama. The opening theme is still one of my favorite song up until this moment (and I always sing it whenever I went for a karaoke) plus all the music pieces they chose for this drama is awesome.
Even though this drama is quite old, it will remain evergreen in my heart. Try watching this drama, you are not going to be disappointed.
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This review may contain spoilers
A story that causes controversial overreaction by viewers without doing anything controversial
This is my first time writing a drama review because I was usually a silent viewer but this drama was so interesting that I ended up feeling the need to write one despite this is not a language I speak.Story:
When I first read the synopsis, I thought that It must be one of those lazy shoujo/BL story that used to be popular with trope like bully x victim cheesy high school romance which usually end with bully kept enjoying the bullying while the victim just submit to them after awhile because they can’t fight back. It started with two kids with troubles of their own who seemed like it will end up in a bad relationship but the story turned out different the more I watched. It was about calling out their deep rooted issues until they are ready to face it together and touched on topics like communication, idolatry, consent and first love. Because of first episode alone I feel like these characters have more behind what they are showing on facade so I chose to look for the source material and found the audio drama adaptation which is close to the original Novel. I LOVE IT. I was anxious and anticipated to see how the drama which only have 2 and half hours run time overall would be able to adapt such complicated story accurately.
Characters:
They started like one of those boring flat characters, an obsessive introvert boy and his crush who’s the opposite. However, what you will realize is that, the story is being told in first person point of view, which mean for the over half of the drama you will hear from this boy Hira about his life and his obsession over his crush. From his point of view, me and the other viewers are sympathized with him and feel the anger toward the crush who seems like bland untouchable character but we are so wrong when the narration switched to Kiyoi, the popular boy, to be the one telling the story from his eyes which to be honest, more realistic view than Hira’s. It told you the complexity of both characters and WHY there was misunderstanding between them because even we, as the third person who watch them, also misunderstood them. Worth noting that this story might not have much of them as romantic partners but more like HOW they became a couple because this is only adapted from 1st book of the novel trilogy.
A lot of people’s reaction to this drama was a shallow view and criticism on the story and characters without looking closer and reflecting. The word “Toxic” and “Abusive” wouldn’t be what I would call their romance, I would say they are two teenagers with their own issue who found comfort in each other but miscommunication happened, loneliness and bad timing didn’t help either.
Rewatch value: HELL YEAH this is the only romance drama that I suggest rewatching because trust me, every rewatch will give you new details you didn’t notice before and that should thank to awesome and attentive production team as well as the young actors who surprisingly are good at portraying complex story and characters with such a short limit of time.
I believe drama-only fans won’t find it anything special but this drama put a lot of effort in including favorite lines and hidden detail from its source material so the rewatch value is MUCH higher for fans who love the novel and audio drama version.
However, I would suggest everyone to give it a try and watch for yourself. This is a good story but probably not for everyone, especially those who refuse to open their mind.
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A Love Letter to a Mature, Sexy, Communicative Romance with sizzling Chemistry
“Fake It Till You Make It” is not a drama for everyone. But if you are looking for something specific like I did, you might enjoy it very much. I found what I want - a mature romance about two smart individuals who give me realistic, honest and sincere conversations + sexy chemistry. A drama that is not full of romantic cliches and tropes, not a silly rom-com nor a sad and angsty drama. Because of this, I am giving this a very subjective and high rating of 9.0.A few quick notes about this drama:
1. There’s a lot of business talk - about 50% business, 50% romance. If this is not your thing, you might want to reconsider watching.
2. This is not really a plot-driven drama. The business plot serves as a way for our main leads to grow personally and professionally.
3. Very dialog heavy - The beauty of this drama is the witty and thoughtful conversations.
4. Try not to fast-forward - you will miss the dialogs and get you out of the mood. Try not to do that with the business plot either, as you will be even more confused.
I LOVE the romance of the leads. Simple as that. Elvis (ML) is a likable and hard-to-resist playboy who's afraid of commitment or opening up. Tang Ying (FL) is a career-focused, hard-working lawyer who is afraid to get hurt after a failed love confession many years ago. They are on equal footing and power dynamics in this relationship. The two of them met as strangers on the plane, slowly becoming best friends and then lovers.
When as strangers, Elvis and Tan Yang seem to be total opposites but chemistry between them is evident. When they become best friends, they seem to be the perfect match in heaven. Their honest conversations of love and the constant flirting are the best part of the show. Even if it’s a few quick text messages, you can feel the chemistry. You root for them and want them to be together ASAP, yet I also worry about the loss in chemistry and excitement when they are together. We all know how dramas go when the couple becomes boring afterwards. Who knew our cool playboy will become a doting boyfriend who can act silly and cute? There are a few cute and fluffy scenes, though not much. The kisses are good but not as great as I want them to be (Elvira maybe is a little more shy than Elvis). We continue to have conversations to deal with potential misunderstandings once they are a couple. We learn that they might not be as perfect together as they seem when they were flirting. Their upbringing and ideals of being a couple brought them unease and discomfort, but they talk things through! They continue to have these honest conversations, some more emotional and heartfelt than the others. They continue to get to know each other, and learn to love each other for who they are and to live as a couple and not as individuals anymore.
On the other side of the romance spectrum, we also follow the journey of Lin Xin Zi (Tang Ying’s half sister). She has a completely different view on romance and marriage. She has her own internal rating system for her suitors and picking the best one to consider for dating and marriage. We all know how that will work out. I personally don’t think Lin Xin Zi is that attractive as a character, so I don’t know why all the guys fall in love with her. Her story, though predictable, is also relatable and realistic. Her way of thinking is probably very similar to many women in mainland China.
Enough of the romance, but what does it mean to “Fake It Till You Make It”? In this drama, all characters at some point have to mask their true intentions and feelings, and express themselves differently. You could be, 1) Having afternoon tea with a bunch of rich ladies and act like you have the richest and loveliest husband in the world who will buy you expensive purses, 2) Pretend you are a tea expert to impress your customer by studying info the night before, 3) Swallow your complaints and hate for your abusive boss and smile/nod to the insults thrown at your face, 4) Act like you are totally fine with your controlling boyfriend because you know he does everything out of love. They just need to tell themselves they are fine and believe that they will be fine.
The acting is on point. This is my first dramas of both Elvis Han and Elvira Cai and they do not disappoint. If you end up not liking this drama, at least you can enjoy the sexy and handsome Elvis Han. LOL. I do want to commend Dai Yun Fai, who played Lin Xin Zi’s boyfriend. I have seen Dai Yun Fan in many dramas, usually as a supporting character. I am so impressed with his emotional acting. He has a very small part in this drama but the last scene when he was on the bridge/overpass expressing his regrets was SO well-acted. I am also very satisfied with the end of his story. The overall acting is really good. There isn't a character that irritates or annoys me.
If you are like me and are looking for what I am looking for, then I strongly recommend this drama. I do think the drama started a little slow and you might be confused with the business side of things. It could also appear to be a little preachy, but stick with it and you will be rewarded with an amazing romantic journey between two flawed but realistic characters and excellent chemistry
Other Random Observations:
1. Elvis Han is just so charismatic and sexy, without the boyish look. I love the scenes when he was waiting by his car at the end of the night, and when he was reading a story by the bathtub. He has such a deep voice and his reading to FL is just so darn sexy.
2. I love FL’s phone conversation with ML about those heart-fluttering moments. It killed me in a good way!
3. Love the dynamic between the sisters. So natural.
4. Really smart to name all the women you are dating with the same nickname in your cell phone contact list. You don’t have to worry about calling out someone’s name wrong when you are drunk. LOL
5. Naming these women as fruits is hilarious as well.
6. Another good female mentor! They are hard to come by.
7. Natural looks for all! No white makeup, white filter or smoothing of skin!
8. Almost forgot, I love the comic book opening theme!
Completed: 9/4/2023 - Review #349
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I'm a huge fan of the anime version and I have seen both taiwanese and korean drama versions and I gotta say INK Love in Tokyo beats them both. The taiwanese one was way too long and therefore was boring at times and the korean one... well, not so good actors and even though I love the story, I couldn't help but being hella bored while watching Playful Kiss.
INK Love in Tokyo managed to still be interesting to me even though I knew the plot (and its twists) by heart. Now yes, the over the top acting (especially the main actress) was kinda off-putting at first but once I got past it, I really got fond of the characters and the main couple. I loved their chemistry, even if (no) thanks to the author, Irie Naoki's character is difficult to understand (to the point you just want to shake the hell outta him) and Aihara Kotoko's one is way too dumb to not be frustrated with her at some point. Still, loved them both together and individually.
The drama has its fun moments, not to the point where I'd like, laugh out loud or anything but enough to make me smile and feel good when watching them. And again, that was exactly what I expected from it. No more, no less.
I'm really glad it got a second season even if I already know how it's going to end but the drama's amazing characters and its sweet aura will definitely manage to keep me interested throughout its second run.
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This review may contain spoilers
it was not a love story
How shall I put it?Everyone who has ever experienced grief in their life will relate to Mitchan narration. Main characters will take you through all the grief phases again. From the desire to spend a little bit more time together with your loved one who is not here anymore, when even one extra minute would be a the most desirable gift during your grieving journey; to being angry with the person who left, why they did it to you, how could they leave and let you be here all by yourself. But Mitchan got extremely lucky. He had a chance to experience parts of his grief, denial, huge love, hate together with the one who had to leave - Koichi. Does it make you jealous too?
Why we got so involved in such unrealistic story?
We all know - death is a final stop. But all of us secretly hope to be mistaken. And Eternal Yesterday gives us such opportunity to have a hope. Maybe one day it’s all gonna be a lie, and our loved ones will be here with us even though their hearts don’t work anymore. Eventually, it’s a beautiful metaphor - people you love aren’t truly dead until they are alive in your memory.
Name:
Eternal Yesterday - that’s how it feels to be disconnected from the real world after loosing the one you loved the most. Now you live only in the past when they were here with you. The smell of their perfume on the passing by stranger now feels like a knife directly in your heart. Their old t-shirt that you accidentally found in your wardrobe can bring all the memories back, and here you are sitting and reminiscing about old days on the floor in your bedroom again. You are re-living your yesterday, because tomorrow isn’t promising anymore without them.
Actors:
Fantastic fantastic fantastic cast. Both main actors did incredible job! Mitchan character grew and developed so well. And separate kudos for Koichi’s perspective in the end. All his actions and all his “sorry-s” made sense. Actors truly lived Mitchan’s and Koichi’s lifes.
Summary:
It was not a love story, it was one very special story about grief and precious time. Even though grief is inseparable from love.
I will definitely re-watch those series again and again. They are so heartbreaking, but yet so heartwarming. Our life is this special because it has an end, and Eternal Yesterday is our friendly reminder. Kiss, love, hug, express your feelings right now, because your perfect time may never come and unfortunately you won’t be given the same gift as Mitchan got.
And for all in grief - your pain will never go away, nor time will heal it. You will learn to co-exist with it and will learn to smile and love again. It was a beautiful message in the end.
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Sweet cute and I appreciate the continued efforts!!!
Hello! I rarely review but need to remind the viewers to think like a business. We are getting a lot more lgbt content in recent years. The veteran actors, writers, directors and producers spent decades to get us to this point. This point? YES we get films, big production series, dating shows, gay couples on major Korean magazine covers AND we get multiple small studios crowd sourced for cute stories to film in a week and bring it to us. Please do not forget! I am grateful and appreciative.Please appreciate the small stuff too.
We would read this manga and be super happy. Someone spent the money to give us some visual with cute story.
I appreciate them. I appreciate how hard it was to get to this point. I look forward to the future.
The boys did a good job. They were pleasant to watch.
For me the actor playing the chef is damn gorgeous! Phew
Sure if you peel back his actions it may seem stalkerish lol but because it goes so fast he is honest immediately and it's all good. Real life gay is hard anywhere and this showed four different types of men (in one episode) and how they handle things. Was cool.
What I loved is this series is set in a gay friendly world. There was no mention or hesitation of being gay. No fear. Thai BL started doing that too and I am happy with this turn.
Anyway it is very fast, it's cute and worth our stream on legal iQIYI site.
Enjoy and if you can leave a comment for each actor. The actors (mainly Koreans) come to mdl and read our stuff!
Thanks!
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Where to start? Hum at the beginning i thought it was just a random family Drama that i started to watch because of Im Joo Hwan and Kang So Ra.
After just the first episode i was really interested in the story and then became to love it after some more episodes.
The Cast:I love it all. The child actors were totally amazing in my opinion and i will follow them in the future.
I think every actor has portayed his/her character really well and so i could enjoy the Drama till the end.
There will be characters who will annoy you to the bones but they will make you proud in the end changing themself for the better.You will be there to see how someone can change for the people he/she loves.
I'm not Korean but i could understand what they were saying and doing without subs. The acting is really good and it will make you enjoy this Drama.
Story:
The story tells how different people become a family and have to accept each other.
They will go through dispair,pain to finally find happiness as a family.
They will come to undertsand each other and love each other like a real family should.
They will fight for love and to protect the most loved people in their lives.
Music: I really liked the music finding myself singing without realizing it.
I cried a lot and the sad music was a stab in the back making me cry more XD
One of my favourite was No Matter What They Say by Yang Mi Jin.
Why watch this Drama? It will make you feel all the emotions the characters feel,it will make you understand people more,it will teach you a lot of things you'll need in life..
If you start watching it you won't stop.
It's TOTALLY WORTH IT.
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The story had me hooked right from the beginning. The moment I read the synopsis I knew I wanted to watch the show, but again the generally high ratings were turning me off a little, as I didn't want to start the show with unrealistic expectations. I began it nonetheless and to be honest I should have lowered my expectations a little and I might have enjoyed it more, much more than what I felt this time. The execution and direction was praiseworthy. The horror element could have easily become pitiable and downright miserable, but the writers kept a good balance between spooky and funny. The pace of the show is.. good. I wouldn't say it is perfect since it gets a little draggy in the middle, but that usually happens in almost all the dramas, even the really good ones, so it's not really something you should base your decision on, just giving you a heads up.
The actors. Wow. Impeccable work. Su Ji Sub was a pure delight to watch on the screen. His persona and charm as Joong Won was impressive. I could easily connect with the character because of him. Same goes for Hyo Jin. I'm currently watching another work of her's (It's Okay It's Love) and she's simply marvelous. I loved the work of each actor in this show. Each and everyone. I'm definitely going to try other works by these actors.
The OST of this drama was really likable. The songs were beautiful and catchy, and put forth the emotions well. The melody of the tracks especially, was quite soothing.
Despite the fact that there is so much I like in this show, there are things that stopped me from giving it a perfect overall 10 rating. It's definitely one of the shows I could rewatch again without much hesitation. But there was still the slight glitch that I faced towards the later part of the show. Too much push-pull tactic going on between the lead pair for my taste. Granted it's not unreasonable and foolish, there's a good solid reasoning behind it, but for me, it went on a little too long. But the writers need to be commended for giving a good and proper ending to the show. I was really happy with the finale. Almost so much that I forgot about the way it was dragged :P
Either way, don't let anything stop you from trying out this show. It's absolutely worth the watch. All the genres that the drama incorporates (Horror, Romance, Mystery, Comedy), everything is in a perfect blend and nothing overpowers the other. A really well crafted show. Don't miss it!
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1Thin line between love and hate.
In an uncannily similar vein with Maid's Revenge, this mini drama is just a chock full of the worst red flags. So if you are going to be triggered by a toxic alpha male and an intense but abusive love-hate relationship best steer clear of this drama. If however you can suspend moral outrage and present social norms for ~240 minutes then you are in for one helluva hot and wild ride.Plot-wise, Circle of Love must be part of Youku's addictive toxic trilogy which rehashes the dark Republican era Romeo and Juliet revenge trope we saw in both Maid's Revenge and Bride's Revenge. Determined to avenge her family, Gu Meng ambushes her former fiancé, the formidable warlord Xiao Hongye. Her pathetic attack is foiled and she finds herself captured and conscripted as a maid in his household. She conveniently experiences memory loss, allowing herself to fall in love with her nemesis over and over again as he domineeringly uses and abuses her in the most thrilling... ahem..., I mean unacceptable, completely unacceptable ways. What I like about this version is that Gu Meng is smart and she has a plan. She can go toe to toe with Hongye and it is literally tit for tat in terms of these star-crossed lovers' ability to do terrible things to each other. The actors light up the screen with their intense, sensuous chemistry and do an amazing job showing us their gut wrenching internal struggle as they explore the thin line beween love and hate.
I could tell you that I watched this for the tight plot, which is actually well designed and has a nice twist. But that would be a lie. This is all about Li Jiulin's dark, complex and masculine good looks, his amorous smouldering gaze and his taut tanned chest. His steamy portrayal of the controlling, possessive, passionate, cruel and yet oddly vulnerable Hongye had me giggling and cringing at the same time. And the way he manhandles the inflamed and writhing Gu Meng who obviously loves to hate him had me chanting unconvincingly to myself "This is so not ok!!!". If there is any takeaway from this short, dark and titilating tale of love and hate it is that if your enemy is a smoking hot man beast, satiate yourself thoroughly before giving him a few bullets to remember you by. I found the ending a bit mean spirited but ultimately satisfying and appropriate.
This is a classic dark and thrilling bodice ripper romance that comes with all kinds of health warnings over outdated gender norms and inappropriate behavior. This is not the kind of thing to try at home but it can still be enjoyed vicariously with the air con switched on high and a nice glass of wine. Don't judge me for enjoying this enough to rate this 8.0/10.0; the best of the three in my opinion.
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The Legend of Hei Feng-Bai Xi
Truth be told, Who Rules The World (WRTW) wasn’t on the top of my list for highly anticipated dramas for 2022. But you know what? It turned out to be one of the most entertaining dramas I’ve seen for the year. Certain characters in the show even made their way into my list of all-time favourite C-historical characters as well. I’m pleased to say that WRTW has not disappointed and in fact went beyond any initial expectation I may have had going into it.WRTW is equal parts traditional wuxia, grandiose palace politics, epic warfare and romantic love that are interwoven seamlessly to create an immersive tapestry of a vivid jianghu that transcends the boundaries of the 7 kingdoms. It revolves around the relationship between two renowned martial artists, Hei Feng Xi and Bai Feng Xi, as they navigate the treacherous world of ancient politics and pugilistic rivalries teeming with characters who are hell bent on ruling the world.
The story is based on the bestselling 2007 novel Qie Shi Tian Xia (且试天下) aka Let’s Try the World which was written by prolific period-romance novelist, Qing Ling Yue (倾泠月). The production team comprises directors Yin Tao (Love and Redemption, Ancient Love Poetry, Under the Power), Yu Yonggang (Novoland: Pearl Eclipse) as well as action director/ choreographer Shi Zhanli (The Promise of Chang’an, Under the Power, Listening Snow Tower, Love and Redemption, The Legend of White Snake). Principal photography took place at Hengdian World Studios from February to June 2021. Interestingly this drama was released concurrently on WeTV international and Netflix for global audiences.
A total of 5 songs are listed in the soundtrack of the production. Liu Yuning sings the inspiring opening theme while Lai Meiyun and Tan Wei Wei contribute moving love ballads.
无双 Unparalleled – 刘宇宁 Liu YuNing
风息 Breath Of Wind – 胡彦斌 / 叶炫清 Hu YanBin / Ye XuanQing
一梦浮生 Dreams Come True – 汪苏泷 Silence Wang
孤注 Gu Zhu – 谭维维 Tan Wei Wei
如梦 Like A Dream – 赖美云 Lai MeiYun
This production has been plagued by some controversies in that the main director was purported to have left the project about halfway through filming for reasons that were not made known publicly. Additionally certain elements of the plot, whether the screenplay or the source material itself, had been accused of plagiarism. Likewise some scenes were cited to be reminiscent of other dramas. Having not read the source material for this drama, or most other dramas for that matter, and without seeing particular shows from which their scenes had been reputedly copied, fortunately my personal viewing enjoyment was not affected by the allegations in any way.
What I Liked
The elements of wuxia, politics and warfare are beautifully crafted into a memorable tale of chivalry, heroism and love amidst an extensively conceived worldbuilding of a fictional universe. Perhaps WRTW does not reach the quality levels of Nirvana in Fire, the gold standard in this multigenre, but it certainly comes close. How often do we come across productions that attempt to cover such an extensive scope without faltering miserably or, at the very least, evoke some form of endearing connection and entertainment value?
In terms of wuxia, this is one of the best for me. The variety of martial arts prowess on display as well as depiction of the jianghu with its associated clans, sects, dark arts and, of course, the chivalric values of brotherhood, heroism, and valour are all expertly embedded into this pugilistic premise. Absolutely no complaints from me in this department.
While initially lacking and slow-moving due to the uneven pacing and multitude of character introductions, the politics of the palace and the world began to exert more control over the narrative up until the finale. This is especially so once the main players have been established and viewers are able to focus exclusively on their schemes and machinations that eventually culminate in all-out confrontations and large scale warfare among them. In some ways, the overall concept and worldbuilding remind me somewhat of Game of Thrones with the premise based on various factions fighting for supremacy and dominion over the world.
Ultimately the one aspect of the story that impresses me the most is the romance. One of the most wholesome and charming love stories that I’ve ever come across in a C-historical. It helps immensely that both leads are extremely likeable both in real life and in the depiction of their respective characters here. No silly misunderstandings, childish petulance, toxic vibes whatsoever. Just as it should be between two heroic jianghu protagonists amidst countless adorable and lovely moments indeed.
As far as the technical execution is concerned, for me the positive takeaways would be the production design which maximises the gorgeous features of Hengdian World Studios in both the opulent indoor sets and lush greenery of the outdoor shooting scenes. Cinematography, choreography and special effects are quite decent, for the most part. I’m thankful that the fight scenes in particular are presented on point without the jittery camerawork and overreliance on slow-motion, repeat cuts or fast cut editing.
The martial arts choreography is simply stunning and showcases some of the most spectacular wire-works (wire-fu) in recent memory. It might appear a bit much to some but personally I love it. Also worth mentioning is the battle scenes between large armies towards the tail end of the show. Despite being mostly CGI, the end result is reasonably rendered and, most importantly, not substituted with animation or even skipped over but is shown in its entirety.
With regards to the cast and their respective characterizations, WRTW wouldn’t be the same without the leads, Yang Yang and Zhao Lu Si. The stellar supporting cast particularly Xuan Lu, Lai Yi, Zhang Feng Yi, Lee Wai Han, Zong Feng Yan and Wang De Shun provide a memorable account of themselves in making this production work as well.
I know that Yang Yang has drawn some flak for his performances in the past but having seen him in the recently concluded Glory of the Special Forces where he delivered possibly his best work to-date, I think he deserves more credit than he’s given. The role of Hei Feng Xi / Feng Lan Xi suits him very much indeed. He has this ability to blend intensity and seriousness with warmth and tenderness as well as a dash of charm and sophistication, which adds depth to his version of the brooding, intelligent and lonely hero of this story.
The same goes for Zhao Lu Si who, despite her expertise in rom-coms, is actually quite versatile and here she showcases some range as well as a more serious side. She still has that comedic timing but as the carefree Bai Feng Xi and the more regal Feng Xi Yun, we get to experience different facets to her characters. The biggest draw in the show is obviously their romance. Whether as royalty or jianghu pugilists, the chemistry between the two absolutely sizzles to set the screen aflame. I cannot imagine anyone else embodying the roles of “Hei Feng- Bai Xi of the rivers and lakes” as well as they have done.
Amongst the supporting characters, my personal favourite include Xuan Lu’s Feng Qi Wu who shares a strong bond with Bai Feng Xi where at one point I was actually shipping them as a lovable GL pairing. It’s refreshing to observe a healthy friendship between two female characters for a change instead of the usual destructive rivalry for affections. Lai Yi’s Huang Chao is another strong character that’s worthy of mention. His connection to the leads prove intriguing where despite no love lost between them, they continue to regard one another with mutual admiration and respect.
What Fell Short
I think the transition of directors midway through production possibly caused a discernible change in the quality of direction and editing during the second half of the show. This in turn affected the flow of the storytelling because certain scenes feel somewhat disconnected while the last 8 or so episodes are a little rushed. That said, most C-historicals tend to sprint towards the finishing line with a flurry of events and activities within the final few episodes, although this could be attributed to censorship-induced post-production editing.
For obvious reasons, most of the focus is on Yong-zhou and Qing-zhou, two of the 7 kingdoms in the story. There are some highlights of Ji-zhou and You-zhou, and the initial spotlight on Dong Empire, the ruling kingdom and the seat of power itself. I would have liked to see more backstory or development in the lesser mentioned kingdoms as well as the other mysterious sects of the jianghu. At 40 episodes, it’s near impossible to fit everything and everyone, which is unfortunate as some of the minor side stories and subplots actually appear interesting and thus worth exploring.
Because of the rushed nature of the final arc, the potential for the main villain’s origins and motivations are largely glossed over in favour of the ultimate showdown. I think this dimension of the antagonist’s profile deserves at least a couple of episodes to allow the gravity of his villainy to sink in with viewers.
The FL’s identity reveal is a bit of a letdown personally for me. It should have been more sensational and shocking to everyone involved but it turned out to be a lowkey affair after all.
I feel the need to rant on one of the martial arts clans, the Tianshuang Sect. I’m not sure how they are written in the original novel or if it is meant to be a running joke but the members of that sect, along with their leader/elder/founder, are quite laughable indeed. Without spoiling, let’s just say that these folks are better off managing a zen spa or soup kitchen rather than actively attempting to partake in conspiratorial activities.
Final Thoughts
WRTW ranks amongst the better recent releases of C-historicals and wuxia productions. It hasn’t reached the gold standard that is NiF but is somewhere slightly lower, perhaps at a similar level to The Long Ballad. Objectively it’s an 8.5 but for the sheer enjoyment factor and memorable performances of the leads, I’m bumping this up to 9. This is recommended viewing for fans of the genre.
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This review may contain spoilers
what... a MASTERPIECE... just BRAVO!
“There’s a saying, ‘A mother can replace anything in this world. But nothing can replace a mother.'” – Mr. SonIn general, you know that a drama will be one of your all-time favorites as soon as you watch the first episode. I had this feeling with this drama. The pace is exactly what I love. In two episodes only, we already had a grasp of the situation. There wasn't one episode that was boring, and it's really hard to make an episode as thrilling as possible especially when it exceeds 1 hour.
First and foremost, let's talk about the story itself. It's mainly revolving around the utterly complicated relationship between a mother and her son. What I liked about this drama is that as the episodes go by, we felt like we grew up with them. We see Kangho's birth, his first steps, his traumas, his love-life, his true passion (drawing), his coldness, his cuteness, his kindness. It's really rare to have such a complete character. We basically know everything about him and it helps us understand him more and be more invested in the story. We also have a grasp of Youngsoon's story and her reasons behind her abusive behavior towards her son (I do not condone this type of behavior whatsoever and whatever the reasons may be) . Besides her bad acts, I still like her as a human being. She suffered way too much in her life. From losing her parents and brother, her husband, her pig farm, and almost losing her son, I'm really wondering how she was able to maintain a kind soul. She is a bad mother indeed, but she isn't the type to do it willingly and without any emotions. Kangho's accident was a way for her to redeem herself. "Please let me be a bad mother once again, Kangho", she said while teaching him how to eat after his accident. She is fully aware of her doings and isn't proud of it. When she hit Kangho's calves, she healed it while he was sleeping, when she ripped his drawing, she sticked it back. Kangho is fully aware of this and this is why he doesn't hate her this much.
“What I really wanted to avenge was your life they utterly destroyed, and the pain you felt living as a bad mother to your most beloved son.” – KangHo
However, what gives life to this drama are the supporting characters, especially the Jouri village. I really got a "Reply 1988" vibe from this, and funny thing is that the trio "Kangho-Mijoo-Samshik" is born in 1988! We had different families reunited in a tiny village growing together, bickering, laughing, crying, they truly rely on each other and love each other. Each character had its time to shine, even Tiger the dog and Lion the pig had their time to shine! I really like the fact that they put up the tiny-village-family-looking trope in this drama, it lower our heart rate and makes us laugh for a tiny while. I'm personally a big fan of dramas with a variety of genres, I don't remember liking many dramas sticking to a single genre. Hence, if you're like me, you will absolutely love this show. Thriller, mystery, family, life, romance, comedy, law, and i'm sure that I forgot other genres.
Let's get into the acting. Wow... just wow. Ra Miran, Lee Dohyun, Ahn Eunjin, Choi Moosung, Jung Woongin, Yoo Insoo... and the list goes on and on. The cast was perfectly chosen. Every single actor nailed their role, every single actor was able to depict the role and give life to it. A little thing I want to add, THE TWINS ARE SO CUTE. I wish them the best in their upcoming endeavours and hope they will become amazing actors in the far future! I hope this drama will get a lot of Baeksang nominations!
A good bad mother may not be perfect, but she does her best and sacrifices everything that she has just to see her child succeed in life. Taking a step back, Youngsoon loved Kangho to death and could do everything for him, her approach to show her love was wrong. I'm just glad that during that dark time for both Youngsoon and Kangho, Mijoo was able to be his ray of sunshine that made him believe that life wasn't that bad. Love can do wonders.
“One day, when everything ends and I can return to your side, I wish to lie in your arms and eat mung bean pancakes just as I did when I was a little boy.” – KangHo
"I wanted to become the best mom for you, but you only get one life and it was my first time being a mom, so I'm sorry that I wasnt good enough. I prayed that I'd become your mom once again, and if that ever happens I promised I'll do better" - Youngsoon
I hope that Kangho and Youngsoon will reunite one day and do as Kangho and Youngsoon wished, to eat his mom's pancakes and be pampered by her. After all, we will all always be little children to our parents.
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This movie is a true masterpiece by all aspects. It was so warming and I felt like it hit me in all the right places. Nothing felt overdone or underdone and the cast did a wonderful job of portraying people suffering from grief and tragedy. Although the movie is sad, it also has immense hope in it, much like its namesake. It is all about picking yourself up from the downsides of life and moving on with a smile. It forces you to think about all the harsh realities of the world and question the thin line between justice and fairness.
I have to really, really commend the stellar performances but on by the little girl and the actors who played her parents. It was too good to be true and felt too real. For a while, I lost myself in the movie and forgot that what I was seeing on my screen was not real. The irony is that it is real and at the same time not real. My heart goes out to the family of Nayoung and hope she is doing well in real life.
However, the reason to watch this movie is mostly to take a cue from it and smile in your life. This movie is indeed very inspirational and the direction is flawless. There are no bits of it I would want to change. Everything from the casting to the script were smooth and neat. A thorough masterpiece of a film that manages to capture a lot of reality and present it to you without any sugarcoat. It tells you how if you end up with a bitter candy, swallowing it won't make the bitterness go away. You rather have to live with chewing the candy and ingest the bitterness that comes along with it.
Do watch this movie if you are looking for something different. But be warned and prepare yourself with a box of tissues.
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YOU HAVE TO WATCH IT BUT FIRST...
Despite what others think, I loved the drama. I'm sincerely so tired of how dramas usually start with the guy being ruthless at first then you never get to see his ruthlessness once he gets together with the girl. But this drama? It's consistent.The intense male lead is what first made me interested in My Lethal Man, but as you watch it, you'll realize how perfect the girl is. I understand how most people couldn't wrap their minds with the idea that the girl looks exactly like the male lead's sister. To be honest, I had the same feelings at first. However, when you come to realize that they have been apart for 17 years without contact, you'll start to be more accepting towards the plot. You'll realize that yes, the guy indeed loves his sister with all his heart, however, he loves the idea of his sister when she was younger. He doesn't have any attachment to his sister's face or the way she looks now that they're older because he didn't spend his years growing up with her.
In terms for romance, this is where you'll see how the girl proactively fights for their love. She was the first one to confess, and at every point, she was unafraid to show her true feelings. When she says "I love you", she always follows up with the question, "Do you love me too?" (not in a pitiful and pathetic way but in a light-hearted way). With a keen eye, you'll notice how the guy is always the one who gets the better end in their relationship especially with how chivalrous the GIRL is- her always telling the guy she'll protect him, her willingness to accept the blame, her picking him up from work, her kissing his hand, and other details. You'll realize how the guy is always the one who feels giddy and kilig. The girl literally is his home.
Acting: Tbh, I think the guy effin' carried (not that the female lead didn't do well, she perfectly played her part too). I love how lethal and deadly he looks in most scenes. One thing you must take note of is his hair. You'll notice how the scene would play out with his hair and this little detail just the drama more enjoyable. Hint: hair when he's with the girl, and hair when he's going to the office or when he's on an errand alone.
Honestly, amazing directing. I love how when the male lead feels vulnerable, you don't see it right away, but you see it with the way he acts- through the way he slightly bends to hide his face in the girls neck to how he sits down on the floor to signify just how low he's become (or feeling).
Tbh, I loved the drama. It was a good one, but I hate how sometimes, I couldn't see the emotion on their faces due to the whitening filter. When shots are taken from afar, I can see how amazing the actors and actresses convey their emotions but during close up shots, I could't even see how the tears falls down their faces (sometimes, it just seemed as though they were trying to cry without the tears which makes it a bit funny). Oh how I could only wish Chinese productions won't feel the need to whitewash their actors anymore.
Hope to see more dramas like this?
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**Disclaimer: This is just my opinion, please don't take anything I say personally. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone.***"Destined With You" is one of those dramas that you have to stick with until it gets better. I’m not going to lie it was so hard finding motivation to keep watching but after episode 7 it started to pick up and I have to say I started enjoying the plot twists, mystery and thriller aspect of it. It is seriously so interesting. I especially loved the backstory of Mu Jin and Aeng Cho. Though their love was ill-fated from the start you can see he killed her to ensure they would not dismember her and that she would live on through the curse. The fact that Mu Jin said in another life let them be happy… and this life they want to be happy but were unable to because of the curse and that crazy psychopath of a man (Na Jung-Beom) was so frustrating and unfair.
Rowoon looks so gorgeous in this drama… that was enough to keep me watching haha ? Idk but something about him with the slick back hair as the serious / brooding lawyer is. He also was giving a buzz and then when its all combed down he looks like a cute puppy / golden retriever. AHHH I love how he’s giving us rangeeee and I can’t wait to see him in his next projects.
Bo Ah is such a good actress the way she conveys what she’s feeling through her eyes alone is literally a talent.
For once I actually prefer the latter half of a drama rather than the usual trend of the drama falling off / being disappointing the end.
Let’s talk about Rowoon and Bo Ah's chemistry in episodes 13-15, 15 especially – it was off the charts! I'm talking about that kiss, whew! — I can see why shaman lady (Eun Wol) called the next morning and was like Shin Yu and Hong Jo would be conceiving a girl. I mean, I got pregnant just watching that scene haha. Jokes aside, I'm not sure why people were doubting their incredible chemistry, but you know, there will always be haters or people who don't receive media in the same way and have no appreciation for the effort / artistry that goes into it. I think the writers did a good job of neatly wrapping up the ending. Obviously they would have needed more episodes to really delve into the magic and the lore of Hong Jo’s shaman powers / lineage etc… but so far they did well with the little they were able to keep / use.
I also liked the various side characters stories especially between Mr. Gong and Ms. Ma. They were kind of on / and off all the time but I'm happy they worked out their differences and got married in the end. At first I did not like Hong Jo's workers but I warmed to them because they are very funny / silly. I also liked the side story about Shin Yu's mother and father... it seemed like they were always playing cat and mouse with each other, and you thought they were going to divorce - but in the end, they're going to have a baby. To say I was surprised is an understatement. To be honest, I thought the mom was starting to like Shin Yu's lawyer friend and that they'd end up together, but the drama didn't go in that direction at all.
I didn't particularly like Mr. Kwon / Jae Gyeong, but I'm glad he remained a good guy until the end. Life is all about timing, and he completely missed his with Hong Jo, so he can only blame himself. I thought it was a little cheeky of him to tell her that if she doesn't marry Shin Yu within the next six months, she should call him, but whatever - at least it ended amicably.
One aspect of the show that I dislike is their inability to finish the shamanism/curse storyline. They expect me to believe that the curse has been magically broken and Shin Yu is completely healed? Honestly, I was wondering if there was something missing or if there was more to it because the final scene shows Mu Jin, of the past ,walking away with a spell book of the heavens or something? I'm also curious if Hong Jo's near-death experience, which included almost being poisoned and then being resuscitated... is what broke the curse in the end? Little details like this being forgotten / not being explained is what kind of irritated me about the drama and made me take off points.
In my opinion, the ending was very touching and adorable... I was smiling the entire time and was relieved that it didn't end on a sad / bittersweet note with the main characters suffering. Spoiler alert: Hong Jo is not pregnant, but they will get married and live happily ever after. It took them 300 years to get here, but they did it!
The OST they chose is just so beautiful and heartfelt. The songs perfectly complement the story and will stay with you long after you finish watching the drama.
I for one am impressed and proud of myself for not dropping this drama and I guess I would rewatch it for the vibes and cute moments.
If you enjoy light fantasy, mystery, and reincarnation dramas, you should give this one a shot. Hopefully, you will not be disappointed.
With that, I give this drama a resounding 8/10.
Thanks for reading & happy watching!
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
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Kim Sam Soon is the driving force behind my love for this drama. While the other characters are also well portrayed, Kim Sun Ah essentially steals the show with her sassy and pugnacious, yet thoughtful, talented and sensitive portrayal of a broken-hearted patissier.
Although she can be fierce and unrelenting, at her core, Sam Soon is simply a woman who yearns for true love--as most people do. Does it really exist? And if we find it, can it stand the test of time? Where does the love go when we fall out of it? These doubts and questions are the driving force of this drama, and the characters of Kim Sam Soon boldly charge forward looking for the answers--despite knowing there might be consequences and pain along the way. Sam Soon in particular is truly someone who loves while leaving no room for regret. Something I find refreshing and admirable in a drama heroine.
The storyline of this drama isn’t particularly original, but what makes it sparkle are the subtleties in the writing and acting. Hyun Bin holds his own as the leading man against Sun Ah (not an easy task), and they often go toe-to-toe during heated arguments. Some of my favorite scenes involve the two of them going back and forth with killer timing. Hyun Bin also has a knack in this drama for saying much without saying anything at all.
I have a pet peeve for female antagonists in Korean dramas, as I feel they are usually the exact same girl, only played by different actresses. In this drama, however, she’s quite different... I’m not sure I can even label her “the antagonist.” Like Sam Soon, Hee Jin is also bold and unrelenting, stopping at nothing for love. Her approach is very different from Sam Soon’s and I personally don’t respect her rationale. But she’s an interesting character analysis, nonetheless.
Last point, the soundtrack to this drama is stellar! Clazziquai provides the two main themes, alternating between with the sultry "She Is" and quirky, upbeat "Be My Love." As if that's not awesome enough, the series flirts with fun French pop tunes and other melodic grooves to set various moods.
Bottom line, this drama is so well acted, mature, funny, thoughtful and witty that you’ll potentially see the same old drama clichés as something new and fresh! Each episode always left me hungry for more... and sometimes for a piece of cake or cookie, too! :)
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