Historical Dramas Club

I completed The East Palace; in my very own opinion there's many plot twist I can't predict and the action + the visual were great, but the chemistry between the two leads felt off, the acting... well the emperor was really great (as expected of a veteran). The empress dowager and the crown prince (the third prince) were great too. I was once read that these days in Korea not many young actors can act (on Lee Chae Min and Roh Yoon Seo upcoming drama comment). I think it happened everywhere these days because people only think about pretty face and model body, so even the actors put more efforts on their outer appearance more than their acting ability. Won't casually mention a name since I don't really mind at times. I mind more if a public figure stop caring about their appearance, don't want to see him anymore then. And the plot was flawed. I think because they wanted to put too many story into the script that it became like that. If there's S2, I'll skip it. Give the same point as mdl hehe.

Hi @ElementalStar, I'm unable to quote your post directly since it's a long one (not allowed 😄), so I copied your spoiler-tagged post for "Back from the Brink" below:

Also my favorite scene in BFTB is way later when he has to be reborn as acts like a child. I don't know how he managed to go from super hot to adorably cute but that's what happens. 😆

I've reached that part, and yes, I so agree with you here! Neo Hou is so versatile! 😍

amdream_weaver:

OMG! Thank you! Somebody on the same page as me, mostly. After all the raving about the drama, I failed to really enjoy it. There was no chemistry between the leads, and yes I wasn't looking for romance necessarily but even the shared common goal and brother in arms (so to say) angle felt flat, given that they both know that they are both likely to be killed if they cannot solve the mystery, one would think there would be some bonding. The little cutie patootie demon got more response from me. I may watch S2, just for the sake of it, but I need more!!!

As an aside, I am having the same reaction with The Apartment Job. While I love Ji Sung and he always delivers a great performance, I am not getting why everyone is raving about it. Sorry its not a historical, but I just had to get it outta my system!

Ahaha, I think many people feel the same about The East Palace. But some of them want S2.

I also skip The Apartment Job. Initially I want to watch since it gives Spy x Family (anime) vibe and someone sell it as a funnier Vincenzo. But my cousin and my friend watch it and say it was boring. So I skip it too. Korean drama is always tricky, I rarely watch them. Chinese costume drama is similarly tricky, I rarely watch before more than half episodes out.

I'm now into Japanese slice of life, so comforting yet so emotional. Ptw 20 titles for a watch challenge. Orange Days (2004) was so good! It's on Netflix. I also watched Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju E5 (the only episode I previously can't find) on Netflix. For historical drama, I'm still stuck at Gochisosan 65/150 (I think I'll watch it raw for several episodes I can't find after I finish the drama). And I'm going to start Huang Jing Yu's currently airing drama Zhong Qi (set in 1983-2001) today. Still going with Ou Hao's Nobody Knows (set back and forth between 2003 and 2022). Love both actors. And will watch Unsettled Case (set in 1997) after Nobody Knows.

I finished "Back from the Brink" a few days ago. This drama got stuck in my PTW list for quite some time and I wish I had started it sooner! I like the drama's story, the characters and their development, relationships (romance, friendship, etc.) and other themes. Neo Hou and Zhou Ye are convincing as Tian Yao and Yan Hui, respectively. They are the right fit for the roles and I love their chemistry! Overall, this is an enjoyable watch for me 💖.