Reviews

A Good Drama Based on a Not so Good Manga!

Takara no Vidro is a little of a hit or miss drama simply because it's based on a really bad manga. The manga actually won a reward which is why it was made into a drama, but it shouldn't have been. The plot isn't the best and doesn't give the actors much to work with, but the actors did good for what they got. Also, the drama made so many positive changes to the manga's storyline, that while it's not the best drama out there I enjoyed it.

Also. before you start going on about how Taishin is like a stalker, read my review. It will make sense!

•❅✧❅✦ Review ✦❅✧❅•

Takara no Vidro is an interesting drama. While not the best drama out there, it’s a decent watch. At a glance, there is very little chemistry between Takara and Taishin, and it seems that Takara’s actor is stiff. But when you rewatch the drama and read the source material, you actually can see that it’s more of the characters and storyline that gives this drama problems. It’s not the actors at all!

Takara and Taishin's actors actually have really good chemistry together, but maybe it’s the naïve and slow, positive boy going after the quiet, stoic, handsome boy combination that makes the chemistry difficult to see. Taishin is very slow to react, while Takara doesn’t speak his mind at all. This makes it seem like their communication isn’t that good, or that Takara doesn’t actually care for Taishin. But when you take a closer look, you can see that Takara is always looking and reacting to Taishin. Watch Takara's body language and eyes very closely.

Similarly, because Takara is quiet, calm and cool, he doesn’t speak his mind or react to every comment. These stoic characters are difficult to portray, and Iwase, Takara’s actor, does it quite well. However, because Taishin is supposed to be slow and naïve, his character doesn’t pick up Takara’s cues often, leading the audience to think that Iwase is stiff or that they don’t have good chemistry together. But if you take a good look, Iwase’s acting is very natural and he is good at acting without speaking.

•❅✧❅✦ Manga vs Film ✦❅✧❅•

The manga was only 1 volume or around 7 chapters, and they tried to cram everything from Taishin’s background with Takara, to Takara’s backstory with his parents and grandfather. All of that backstory plus their romance! It was very rushed and not very good. It seemed like Taishin was stupid and obsessed with Takara, while Takara was just going along with the flow and dating Taishin because he was the first person that understood him. This kind of makes sense because the author’s original draft was about Taishin being Takara’s stalker and their relationship being toxic, but that was shut down by the editor and changed into a romance for the final draft, but everything felt weird and rushed.

The manga is something I would never read again. From the characters to the plot, it’s really bad. However, the drama improved the manga’s plot so much. Taishin was changed from being stupid and stalkerish to being naïve and well intentioned. Takara was given lots of time to expand on his backstory and was also given time to fall in love with Taishin.

In the drama, you can see Takara being very hesitant to fall in love with Taishin. However, you can also see how Taishin’s actions make Takara fall in love with him. You can also see how much Takara is also in love with Taishin. You couldn’t see any of that in the manga!

Because of all the extra time given and all of the extra scenes added, you can now actually see Takara and Taishin fall in love with each other. It’s not rushed, so there is no misunderstanding about why or how they fell in love. The romance in the manga was so rushed and toxic, but in the drama, you can see them actually fall in love.

•❅✧❅✦ Overall ✦❅✧❅•

Takara no Vidro is a nice drama. While it might not be the best drama in terms of its plot and originality, it is still a nice watch.

Takara and Taishin’s love might not be for everyone. And some might even find Taishin’s actions stalkerish, or Takara’s love as disingenuous. But if you watch their interactions closely, you’ll see that Taishi truly means well and loves Takara. He doesn’t push Takara when Takara sets boundaries and expresses discomfort. Similarly, while Takara doesn’t say much, he does use body language to express his love for Taishi. Takara’s eyes are always following Taishi and he’s always taking care of him. Takara also always gives Taishi the chance to make decisions for himself and pull away from their relationship, despite being jealous and wanting to stay by his side forever. Takara knows he’s being selfish by asking Taishi to follow him everywhere while he alone goes traveling and fulfills his own dreams. But that’s why Takra gives Taishi the space and opportunities to break off their relationship, even though he doesn’t want to.

If you think about it negatively and forget that Takara and Taishin are actually trying to think about each other first, they are toxic to each other. One’s stalkerish and the other is selfish and possessive. Their still perfect for each other in a toxic way too.

Overall, Takara no Vidro is a nice drama. Takara and Taishin are perfect for each other.

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Falling for Gong Yoo <3

"Coffee Prince" it's a drama about Eun Chan, she's the breadwinner of her family and because of that, she doesn't have time to care about her looks, so everyone thinks she's a man and since she needs to make a living, Eun Chan sometimes uses that in her favor. One day she meets Han Kyul, he immediately thinks of her as a man and the two begin a friendship, that turns into a "forbidden love" since Han Kyul thinks Eun Chan is a man and she doesn't have the courage to tell the truth, fearing of being rejected.

I totally understood why it took so long for Eun Chan to tell the truth, nobody saw her as a woman, so it was better to be just another guy friend, than trying to confess and be heartbroken. The problem is her feelings for Han Kyul just grew stronger and she couldn't keep it hidden anymore. The scene where Han Kyul finds out Eun Chan's a girl it's really impressive, he felt betrayed, specially because it took a lot of courage in him to confess his feelings thinking Eun Chan was a man, but at the same time, Eun Chan had the courage to tell she's a woman... but it was too late and Han Kyul finds out from another person.

This was the drama that made me fall in love with Gong Yoo. It's a perfect drama in every sense, specially because it's an older one and the romance is beautiful, the way the writers put the relationship of Eun Chan and Han Kyul was really good, it's like a BL, until the moment Eun Chan's identity is out.
It's a must see if you like Korean dramas, it's one of the best that I had ever watched.

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Sweet and short advertising drama

I like the ML a lot. After the impressively second Lead in "in blossom" I searched for another drama with him and found this.
This is a sweet and short show about a girl, which found herself as player in a computer game. The first encounter in this play was the villain and the rest is cliché. This show is indeed not logical but there are a lot of kissing scenes. I don't like the FL (why I think she looks like a duck), but that should not influence my rating.
Overall it's a nice 7, naturally not one of the best but not bad either.

But: give this actor a nice ML in a great show please 🥰

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A middle-aged woman rock band that really rocks!

"I Am Legend" it's a story about Seol Hee, a middle aged woman who has a fake perfect life. She's mistreated by her husband and her mother-in-law, always keeping her dream to play music in secret. Her life takes a turning point when her sister is diagnosed with cancer and her husband's family doesn't want her to be a donor to save her sister's life, so Seol Hee decides to get divorce and finally be free to live on her own.

In the process, Seol Hee learns that her husband was actually cheating on her this whole time with his co-worker and how he doesn't want a divorce, he does a lot of terrible things and even frames Seol Hee for being the reason for the divorce. There's even a moment which her mother-in-law is crying in the courthouse, doing the acting of her life. HAHAHA'

Seol Hee and her friends make a band named "Comeback Madonna" and go to chase their dream. They are really good singers, but people have a lot of prejudice over a band with middle-aged woman playing rock. It's amazing to be able to see the girls changing people's minds.

There's a hint of romance between Seol Hee and Tae Hyun, but both of them weren't in a place to be together, so I thought it was right of the drama not to make a couple out of them. Seol Hee just got divorced and she wanted to live her life as herself, since she was always pleasing other people and never just being happy alone and Tae Hyun has his young son to worry about, it's not so easy to begin a new relationship having a child. It was nice to see him helping Seol Hee turns a new leaf and become a singer.

It's a really good drama, the story is interesting and the songs are addicted. I had already watched in 2010 and watching again now, it's still as good <3

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An Apocalyptic Fanfiction Come to Life!

Love in the Apocalypse is a fun one time watch. You might love it or hate it, but it's still an interesting one time watch.

•❅✧❅✦ Story ✦❅✧❅•

Love in the Apocalypse is a love it or hate it type of drama. It’s very fast paced with lots of wishful thinking storylines. For example, Ujin quickly becomes attached to Heesu, gets kidnapped, Ujin saves him, Ujin confesses his love to Heesu, Heesu’s ex comes back, the ex kidnaps Heesu, Heesu escapes, Heesu and Ujin start dating, the ex comes back again with a knife trying to kill Ujin, the meteor starts to descend towards them, they kiss, the end. It’s very fast.

Also, there are a few plot points that are a little unreal, such as both of Heesu’s kidnappings. The biggest unrealistic plot point, is Ujin not having experienced family, friends, or happiness. I have yet to meet someone living a robotic lifestyle in this day and age.

Despite everything, it was an interesting watch. It’s not something I’ll remember or rewatch, but it was an interesting filler drama. The plot was all over the place with its gay apocalyptic fantasies, but the acting was nice, and the two leads had decent chemistry.

•❅✧❅✦ Acting ✦❅✧❅•

The two male leads have lots of chemistry. Both actors are great at making their characters believable. Even though the storyline isn't great, the two actors are very good at acting! I'd love to watch more of their dramas.

•❅✧❅✦ Overall ✦❅✧❅•

Love in the Apocalypse was an interesting watch. I’m not sure whether I liked it or not, but I think it’s a nice filler drama. There’s nothing too bad about it to hate, but there is nothing good about it either.
I guess it’s a good drama to watch if you’re bored, but that’s about it.

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One of the best cdramas I have ever watched

"The Legend of Shen Li" follows the forbidden love story of Shen Li and Xing Zhi.
Shen Li is an immortal general who gets hurt and falls into the Mortal Realm in her animal form. She is rescued by Xing Yun, a human who takes care of her and helps her recover from her injuries. With time, Shen Li falls in love with him but she already has an arranged marriage, she comes back home and thinks Xing Yun is dead.
Xing Yun is actually the ancient god Xing Zhi, the last of his kind. They reunite again, but can't be together, since Xing Zhi can't fall in love, always putting the world's needs first.

This was one of the things that really upset me. They are a beautiful couple, but it takes a long time for them to really be together. Xing Zhi always controlled his feelings for her, because he had responsibilities, but in the moment that Xing Zhi thought Shen Li was gone, he couldn't control himself anymore, he goes enraged and freezes the entire sea looking for her.
After that, the two have a sweet time together, like in the beginning when they first met.

The chemistry between Xing Zhi and Shen Li is amazing and I'm not only talking about the romance, but the action scenes and the funny moments, the characters ares really in sinc. It was really fantastic to be able to see Zhao Li Ying and Lin Geng Xin working together again after "Princess Agents" and finally being a real couple, with a happy ending <3

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how did they make it cringier but not in an entertaining way lol

even cringier than the other version lol the thing is because it has even shorter running time, it's even worse. this is a very wattpad story with the corniest plot and dialogues, i knew that we all knew that. but the writing in here is really bad, like how did they make it worse lol some scenes i had to look away and no one was even singing or pulling out the guitar, it's that bad lol there's no real development of the romance and the acting or chemistry don't save this one either. it's just corny but not in a fun way other bls have done, ya know. i just want to be entertained at leasttt

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Mixed Feelings watching

Not realistic. Qin Qin is a surgeon. Real life won't marry a fireman.. Sex crazy over the man. Even though her adopted mother is authoritative, she has her happiness at heart. Bring her up when she was an orphan. Should be grateful for this situation. Can see the heartbreak of her parents. I gave 3 stars because I am happy that Master Meng the brother was focused and realistic. Telling the waitress girl there's difference between moth and butterfly. He didn't fall into her trap. Good thing didn't fall for her and this saved the drama. I was hoping Qin Qin marry his adopted brother instead. If only his mother didn't forced Qin Qin to change surname.

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An Amazing Drama about Overcoming Disabilities with a Hint of Romance

Hidamari ga Kikoeru is a drama about overcoming disabilities with a hint of romance. The drama tackles Kohei’s hearing-impairment and how Taichi gives him the strength to overcome his disabilities. Kohei falling for Taichi is just a lucky bonus.

•❅✧❅✦ Story ✦❅✧❅•

The drama tackles the heavy topic of deafness and how it’s a spectrum. It discusses how those who are hearing-impaired and considered deaf, but not deaf enough to actually be deaf, struggle to fit into not only the deaf society, but also the able-bodied society. The drama looks into how difficult and lonely being hearing-impaired can be and how there is not enough support for those that are hearing-impaired in comparison with those that don’t have any hearing at all. The best part of the drama is that it doesn’t get too preachy about it. Taichi is used as a tool to prevent the preachiness. He is just straight forward and not interested in learning about the deaf community. His only motivation is to help Kohei, so he doesn’t bother learning about the deaf community, only learning what Kohei teaches him, and only getting involved to help Kohei.

•❅✧❅✦ Manga vs Drama ✦❅✧❅•

While the manga is still ongoing as of writing, it’s so much better than the drama. The drama only covers until the beginning of Taichi’s employment at sign, so right when Kohei and Taichi begin dating. It’s after this where we start learning more about Kohei’s disability and how dark his future is because of how so society is made for those that are only 100% deaf. Taichi starts to play a bigger role in opening up Kohei’s future by learning more about the deaf community. Their relationship also endures some challenges due to Kohei’s deafness, but they also grow stronger as a couple together.
I could talk about the manga forever because it’s so good! Even though it’s not completed yet, it’s so good!

Unfortunately, the manga is still way better than the drama. The drama does a good job in getting most of the plot points, but there are a few plot points that are missing. For example, Maya was brought in as a foil to Kohei. However, the drama didn’t really incorporate her relationship with Yoko. In the manga, Yoko becomes interested in Maya, so he talks to her a lot. She pretends to hear him, but she actually doesn’t. Taichi scolds her saying that she shouldn’t be rude by pretending to hear him because he’s talking to her because he has something to say to her. This scene left an impact on me while reading the manga. It’s sad that the scene and her relationship with Yoko was left out in favor of making it seem like she wants to date Kohei.

Another scene that was skipped was Kohei getting lost while trying to find Taichi’s house and meeting Taichi’s grandpa. It really showed how far Kohei was willing to go for Taichi and showed more of Taichi’s relationship with his grandpa.

•❅✧❅✦ Drama vs Movie ✦❅✧❅•

In terms of plot and romance the drama was better. The movie only had a little over an hour to fit everything from Kohei’s disability to their romance. The drama had 12 episodes to explore all of their issues. However, when it comes to the characters and their chemistry together, the movie was so much better.

The characters in the movie seem to embody more of Kohei and Taichi than the drama. Taichi is more loud and annoying, and literally looks dense, but he shows more expressions of concern for Kohei. Similarly, while movie Kohei is less expressive, he seems to genuinely be in love with Taichi and just wants Taichi to be by his side with no strings attached. It’s because of this genuine side to their characters they have better chemistry.

Overall, while I like how the drama expanded on the story, I personally think the movie was far more superior despite its flaws with the plot. Personally, I think Movie Taichi would fit better with Drama Kohei. While watching this drama I kept wishing Movie Taichi would appear. I didn't think too much about Movie Kohei though... So maybe Drama Kohei is better? What do you think?

•❅✧❅✦ Acting ✦❅✧❅•

While I'll sing praises to the story and plot, and even Kohei's actor, I'll have to pull a couple of points due to Taichi's acting.

Taichi’s character is really this drama’s downfall. The drama’s plot is amazing, and Kohei’s actor is also great. However, Taichi and his actor doesn’t really fit the role he is supposed to play. Taichi is supposed to be loud, annoying, and dense. This Taichi, however, isn’t loud or annoying. He does talk with a loud voice occasionally and the way he talks isn’t really annoying, but the biggest issue is that he tends to speak with a normal voice. His voice isn’t different from those around him, so it’s hard to imagine how Kohei can only hear Taichi’s voice. Also, Taichi’s actor doesn’t really come off as dense, so scenes where Taichi can’t pick up Kohei’s cues tend to come off as “doing it for the plot.” Lastly, he seems to have a hard time playing off Kohei's actor, so they lacked chemistry. The whole time I watched the drama I wished Movie Taichi was on screen, which I shouldn't be doing. Kohei's actor was great though!

•❅✧❅✦ Overall ✦❅✧❅•

Hidamari ga Kikoeru is a nice drama. It has an interesting storyline and amazing characters. It is a little slow-paced, but if you can get past that, it’s a nice drama.
From Kohei’s struggles and Taichi’s straightforwardness and willingness to help adapt to Kohei, it’s something everyone needs to see. It’s really great to see a romance drama on overcoming disabilities without getting too preachy, or too “He can overcome this because of this person.”

As a fan of the manga, I think the manga is far more superior than the drama or movie, but if I had to recommend an adaptation to watch, I would recommend the drama. However, if you’ve already read the manga, I definitely recommend watching the movie and drama. I’d love to discuss plot points and characters with you… Especially which Taichi or which Kohei you prefer!

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Reality!!!

In The Tale of Rose, Crystal Liu playing Huang Yimei shares significant screen time with three male leads — Peng Guanying (first love), Lin Gengxin (boyfriend & husband), and Wallace Huo (boyfriend & soulmate) — each representing a different phase and dynamic in her character's journey. Her chemistry with each male lead brings unique elements to the drama, reflecting the evolution of her personal and professional life.

Chemistry with Peng Guanying (Zhuang Guodong):
Liu Yifei and Peng Guanying deliver a deeply emotional and multifaceted portrayal of Huang Yimei and Zhuang Guodong's first love. Liu Yifei's portrayal of Huang Yimei's first love with Peng Guanying's Zhuang Guodong captures the passion and innocence of young love. Their on-screen relationship is tender and emotionally charged, resonating with viewers as they navigate the highs and lows of early romance. Their dynamic was both heartfelt and relatable, making their storyline a standout in the early episodes. As their relationship faces the pressures of societal expectations and personal ambitions, their chemistry evolves into one filled with tension and heartbreak. Peng Guanying portrays Zhuang Guodong's controlling tendencies with intensity, while Liu Yifei brings vulnerability and strength to Huang Yimei's struggle for independence. Their performances highlight the bittersweet complexities of love, creating a poignant and relatable storyline that remains one of the most emotionally resonant aspects of the drama.

Chemistry with Lin Gengxin (Fang Xiewen):
As Huang Yimei's journey progresses, her relationship with Ling Genxin's Fang Xiewen adds a unique intensity and depth to the drama. Their interactions stand out as a mix of professional tension and underlying personal connection. Fang Xiewen, is deeply tied to Huang Yimei's journey of ambition and growth. Their relationship begins on a foundation of professional rivalry, with Fang Xiewen often challenging Huang Yimei in ways that push her beyond her limits. This tension fuels their on-screen chemistry, as their sharp exchanges and moments of confrontation are filled with unspoken emotions, leaving the audience questioning the true nature of their bond. As the story progresses, their dynamic becomes more layered, blending moments of vulnerability with the ongoing power struggles. The gradual shift from rivalry to a deeper, more complex relationship keeps viewers intrigued, as the line between professional respect and personal connection begins to blur. Liu Yifei and Lin Gengxin's performances together are particularly compelling during the drama's more emotionally charged moments. Whether it's a heated argument or a rare scene of mutual understanding, the two actors share an undeniable spark that adds an extra dimension to the narrative. Their chemistry captures the essence of a love-hate relationship, making their scenes together some of the most memorable in the drama. This dynamic between Huang Yimei and Fang Xiewen serves as a reflection of the challenges and compromises inherent in balancing career ambitions with personal relationships (love. marriage, parenthood), adding richness and depth to *The Tale of Rose*.

Chemistry with Wallace Huo (Pu Jia Ming):
Liu Yifei's portrayal of Huang Yimei and Wallace Huo's depiction of Fu Jiaming create a poignant and emotionally resonant dynamic. Their on-screen chemistry is marked by a deep connection that evolves as their characters navigate complex personal challenges. Liu Yifei and Wallace Huo effectively convey the nuances of a relationship overshadowed by impending loss, bringing authenticity to their performances. Their chemistry is particularly compelling in scenes that explore the fragility of life and love. Their interactions are imbued with a sense of urgency and tenderness, (SPOILER) reflecting the limited time Fu Jiaming has due to his terminal illness. This dynamic adds depth to the narrative, highlighting themes of resilience and the human capacity to find joy amidst adversity. Their portrayal of a couple cherishing fleeting moments together resonates with audiences, contributing to the drama's overall impact. Overall, the collaboration between the two offers a heartfelt depiction of love's endurance in the face of life's impermanence.

Bonus - Chemistry with Lin Yi (He Xi)
Liu Yifei and Lin Yi share a refreshing and vibrant on-screen chemistry. He Xi, a confident and charming pilot, brings spontaneity and adventure into Huang Yimei's life, contrasting her more complex past relationships. Their dynamic is marked by playful banter and genuine affection, creating a relationship that feels uplifting and sincere. This pairing highlights themes of rediscovery and new beginnings, showing that life is ongoing and there will always be chances for growth and love, resonating deeply with viewers as a hopeful and engaging element of the drama.

Liu Yifei's ability to adapt her performance to match the distinct dynamics of each male lead is a testament to her versatility as an actress. Each relationship reflects different aspects of her character's growth, allowing the audience to experience a rich tapestry of emotions and connections. Collectively, her chemistry with all three male leads elevates the narrative, making *The Tale of Rose* a memorable exploration of love, ambition, and self-discovery.

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Powerhouse of Handsome Men

This series is filled with handsome men. Lol. Eye candies gallore.

I watched this because it's a Neo Hou drama and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this more than Back from the Brink because I am more of a martial arts fan than romance.

My favorite characters are:
1) Master Li. This op immortal is the best character.
2) Dongjun's Poison Master Uncle. Such carefree and cool uncle.
3) Dongjun's 1st Master, Gu Chen. He did well readying a young Dongjun in the jianghu.
4) Dongjun's family (mother, father, grandfather).
5) Xiao Ruofeng. He should have been the emperor.

My hated characters are:
1) Grand Eunuch. He is ambitious and dangerous.
2) Yue Qing. Every time she appears on screen, she irritates me so much. Truth be told she is more beautiful than Yue Yao but she is annoying af.
3) Prince Qing.
4) Li Hanyi adult version. She is no longer the cute little girl who always eat tanghulu.

My favorite scenes are BEWARE SPOILER
1) The appearance of Dongjun's giant white serpent. I wonder why it did not appear again. It could have been really cool
2) When he got his sword 'dustless'. He showed a great sword style but it never appeared again during his fights. Such a let down.
3) The kid with fire power who made the sword merge and fly. I guess he is a TBOY main character? Not sure. Haven't watched it yet.
4) Master Gu's fight. That was awesome. Sad he died.
5) The liquor challenge. This is a fun episode.
6) Master Li's regression to his younger self.
7) All scenes with Dongjun with his first and second masters. Master Li is a delight.
8) Master Li's fight with rain demon.
9) Master Li's fight with Grand Eunuch.
10) Every time Master Li appears. Lol

Romance is sub par. No chemistry at all for all couples.

Story progress is 7.5/10. I want Ye Dingzhi to win multiple times. I read a lot of manhuas/manhwas where I root for the demonic sect. He is just retaliating because of the unfairness of the world.

What I hate is what happened to Li Hanyi. She was an adorable person as a kid but became power hungry as adult. I also hate Ruojin for forcing himself to Wen Jun and she reluctantly bear a child.

Ending is inevitable. I still root for Ye Yun.

MAJOR SPOILER!!! This is from novel. Yue Yao was accidentally killed by Dongjun because he taught she is Yue Qing which is the dumbest sh!t ever! Dongjun lived in seclusion after that. So what's the point of having two powerful masters and learning some of the most powerful sword techniques when you just end up like that? Pathetic path and frustrating af.

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Realistic Portrayal of the Darkness Lurking in Kabukicho

Happy of the End is a dark romance that deals with the dark side of Kabukicho. Haoran and Chihiro's relationship can be seen as toxic, but it's actually a very beautiful romance. Haoran, who's never been allowed to show his true self or show his pain, learns to open up and be himself around Chihiro. Yes the relationship starts off toxic, but it does turn into true love by the end.

•❅✧❅✦ Story ✦❅✧❅•

Both Haoran and Chihiro have turbulent backstories, with Haoran having the most traumatic. However, while they started off as toxic to each other, they both end up healing each other and making each other better people by the end of the series.

Unfortunately, physical and sexual abuse are realities in this day and age, and with this drama wanting to portray the realities of someone living in Kabukichou, this drama does a great job in portraying the real day-to-day lives of those in Kabukichou and those who are dealt the shitty hand in life. This drama doesn’t pretend that once you manage to escape it, it’s all sunshine and rainbows. Haoran is constantly haunted by his past, physically and mentally. Even Chihiro can’t escape being lonely and looking for an escape from the real world. They find solace in each other, but nothing magically goes away, they are still stuck, trying to escape their reality.

Happy of the End is a very dark drama. It deals with child abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, prostitution, animal abuse, and homophobia; and none of the themes are sugar coated or watered down. Yes, there is romance, but it’s not the fairy tale dream we’d all like. It’s a very dark and toxic romance.

•❅✧❅✦ Manga vs Film ✦❅✧❅•

The manga and drama follow the same storyline, however, the manga does expand on their relationship a little more. The manga also goes into more details about Haoran’s thoughts on Chihiro. For example, while Chihiro is in the hospital, he and Kaji talk about how Haoran was holding up and he was not doing well. Similarly, after Haoran is released from jail, more time is spent on him fighting his inner turmoil about wanting to see Chihiro when he knows he shouldn’t.

There are a few changes in the drama. One is after Haoran and Chihiro’s first fight as a couple. In the drama, Haoran chases after him, but in the manga after Chihiro leaves, slamming the door in Haoran’s face, Haoran stays frozen by the door until Chihiro returns a few hours later. Another is the reveal of Haoran’s scars. In the drama, he reveals his scars after meeting Maya and explaining about his past. In the manga, he reveals his scars to Chihiro just because Chihiro wanted to have sex with him shirtless.

The manga is good, but I like the drama better. While I think Haoran’s actor should have been more androgynous and beautiful like in the manga, his looks doesn’t impact the series because the drama focused and made changes to the storyline that improved the story. For example, more time is spent on Haoran’s past. His abuse is shown in more detail, so we can understand his trauma. Also, the drama made the reveal of Haoran’s scars more significant. The drama made it seem like Haoran was ashamed or scared of his scars. He didn’t want to reveal it to Chihiro until he had to. These changes really made Haoran more human and less robotic.

If there is one thing I would like added to the drama, it’s the ending showing Haoran fighting against wanting to see Chihiro, and the epilogue of them actually becoming a normal couple after they reunite.

•❅✧❅✦ Acting ✦❅✧❅•

The acting was amazing for two actors who are will getting their foot in the industry. Both actors have very good chemistry and everything feels natural. All the actors really had me glued to the screen, especially Haoran's actor. I would love to see him in more dramas after this.

•❅✧❅✦ Overall ✦❅✧❅•

Happy of the End is a very good dark romance drama. If you’re not a fan of dark romance, I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you are, you will love it. The relationship between Haoran and Chihiro is that of mutual understanding and respect. It may seem toxic at times, but it’s actually quite the opposite if you start looking and reading into each character.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama. There is so many layers to this story that you will need to watch it more than once to completely understand it. And you will love it more each time you watch it. Best drama of the year!

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What a blast year to start my K-binge watching again?

Well well, I'm starting of my review with my first watched K-drama. I had a lot of fun with this Korean drama. Was it perfect? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I still had a fun time and I thought it had a satisfying ending. I loved watching Kang Ji Won change and become more confident. I loved watching Yoo Ji Hyuk support her. I even loved watching the villains because they were so deliciously evil. There are a lot of things to love about this drama. It was quite the wild ride. I might be a little bias with this drama and its' review though because I do love these revenge/makjang stories.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS DRAMA

THE ACTING - l thought the acting in this drama was quite good. Multiple actors/actresses in the cast took on roles they never did before and pulled it off well. I definitely had never seen them do these types of roles before and I think I was able to appreciate their acting more because they took this risk. Especially the actors/actresses who took on villain roles for this drama. The cast made their characters and stories believable. I was not taken out of the story because of their acting which is a good thing. When a villain can cause me to ABSOLUTELY hate them, that is a sign of good acting.

THE REVENGE - I did read webtoon like a year ago so I don't remember much and but there were some scenes from Webtoon was included and excluded y'all. I thought the end was very satisfying. I loved watching the revenge play out and see the villains get what was coming to them. I also liked that there were twists on what I assumed would be the ending for the villains. I thought the revenge part of the drama was tightly written. I had a blast watching the revenge. I also liked watching where the points in Ji won's life played out and what character they went too - some sad but others were fun to watch them be assigned to the new character.

THE VILLAINS - THE VILLAINS WERE SO JUICY IN THIS DRAMA! I assumed that Park Min Hwan being her husband would be the big villain in the drama. That turned out to not be true and I loved that twist in the story. I thought the person they chose to be the ultimate Big Bad was a better choice and it made the ending so much more satisfying. The villains' acting in this drama was so good and believable. I had a lot of fun watching how evil they were.

THE COUPLES - I honestly was not expecting multiple couples in this drama. I thought it would be the lead couple and maybe a second couple. WE GOT THREE COUPLES AND I LOVED ALL THREE!! I liked them all for different reasons. I even liked our horrible villain couple because they deserved each other. I enjoyed watching all of these couples' relationships progress. I loved the sweet moments with all of them. I loved that the couples were different ages and had different attitudes. I thought all the couples had great chemistry with each other. I loved that I could root for more than one couple in this drama. I also loved that these couples supported each other's relationships.

THE ENDING - I thought the ending was a highlight of the drama for multiple reasons. One reason is we got a satisfying ending when it came to the revenge. Everyone got what they deserved. I was satisfied with how the revenge played out and who ended up with what. I loved that there were twists that I did not see coming and some characters got an ending I didn't think they would get. I liked that the good characters I was rooting for got their happy ending. I also loved that we got to see the happy ending that our lead couple got in the end. I loved that we got a wedding and a look into their family life. I loved to see all of couples supporting each other in the end as well. I loved seeing where our villains all ended up. IT WAS JUST A REALLY SATISFYING WAY TO WRAP UP THE DRAMA!


WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER

LESS EPISODES - I don't think this drama needed to be 16 episodes. I think it would have been even better if it was 12. Maybe because the one thing I disliked was what everyone else did not like. That was the addition of a certain fiancée that showed up in episode 12. I think if they had reduced the episode count down to 12, they would not have needed that unnecessary character.

ONE STORY ARC/CHARACTER NOT NEEDED - The fiancée was not needed. I saw her as a way to extend the story for a couple of episodes by adding her as an additional villain. She just added more drama to play out for a couple of episodes before the true revenge could start and everyone could get what was coming to them. I think we had so many good villains already, we did not need to add another. I think everyone can agree with me that she was not needed.

What I was feeling here is that in flashback scene where Hui Yeon speaks to Ji won about her brother's engagement where she spill the tea of the fiancee's psychotic madness in the past but she doesn't seem to have that extreme level of madness. And lol, she was ugly and plus I don't remember the mentions of an ex-fiancee. So what y'all think

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I liked Qian Qian until I didn't

I just watched Love Game in Eastern Fantasy and Love you Seven Times and decided to check this out. The start was amusing and light-hearted. The way she tried to save her own life was funny in a morbid way. I actually enjoyed the progression of their relationship....

Until the protagonist herself destroyed everything by her single-mindedness.

The initial plot was interesting. It was refreshing to see the whole gender equality disparity out in the open. I feel this show could have capitalised on that aspect instead.

Originally when I started the show and learned about this setting. I thought surely, this show could use it to show the disparity between sexes that still exist to this day. In the end, the happy ending would be them bringing both sides of the coin together and achieve true equality. I would have liked to see them happy. A ancient chinese romeo and juliet story.

I guess that's why I was disappointed.

The script being 'written' by the FL herself, she should know most clichés usually.... don't work...
The hurt him to save him scenario backfires 99% of the time. She should have researched these plot lines extensively in her job but it seems like she doesn't know how to write a proper script. She tries every single cliché in the book and failed spectacularly at all of them. Her one track mind ruined it all.

I feel like the show had so much potential to be great but failed to have anything of substance by the 2nd half when things got serious. They were doing well when it was just light-hearted bickering and conflict in the beginning, i think they should have stuck to that.

She wants to get back to her own world and thinks this world is all a dream. That's fine and understandable. But in the process she hurts a lot of people and doesn't care about other people's feelings and she doesn't learn from her mistakes at all. She's wishy washy and doesn't stick to her own beliefs. She turned out to be a hypocrite. She thinks everyone is a scripted NPC but still saved 100 'meaningless' lives. So how does she decide who to save and who to hurt according to her own conscience? She has her kind moments, but she's also quite careless and cruel.

The redirection of the original plot was funny at first. There were a lot of cute moments but halfway through I got so sick of the misunderstandings she caused due to her laser focus on herself and her plight. She pushed Chuchu and Han Suo together with zero regard for their feelings despite saying 'you should ask me if I want it or not'. Exactly, Qian Qian demands respect but doesn't give the same consideration back. Even if you consider this a scripted play written by the FL herself, I'm not sure who will want to watch this... Maybe she should change jobs.

I really like the artists who played ML and FL. Both are really cute and good at acting. I just have a problem with relationship angst and plot caused by bad communication and lack of care or respect for the other person. Which ironically, the plot is trying to address with showing that both patriarchy and matriarchy are flawed systems. I feel even as a light-hearted, shallow show, the writing could have been more mature and still have its funny elements. It didn't need to be deep but this is gradually veering into 'stupid' territory. It's the 20th century (or it was for her) Is anyone so dense to not recognise your own feelings for someone else? I'm sure as a working woman and scriptwriter she should be in tune with these feelings the most or else how could she still be employed?

TLDR: This is just not my kind of drama. The FL is just making things worse for herself and for everyone else and I probably won't stick around to see it happen.

I really like the actors but i think i will be dropping this series.

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