Nimue

Out of the Box Awesomeness

Epic beyond scale. The adaptations from manga was done beautifully. I'm amazed and still in awe on how amazing the show is when it was airing. The hype was well-deserved. This drama is pure legend. Everything is perfect and I wouldn't change anything. Even the annoying elements are simply overlook because I want the good guys to win.

Story
Adaptations from manga was not always a success, but this drama excel and triumph in its own charm. The way that the story was able to draw us in to this world where it felt somewhat normal but actually quirky, cold and dark setup of good versus evil, is really spellbinding. It didn't feel out of place or jarring. We are naturally sucked into this other worldly dangerous and mysterious journey of how good people can actually overcome any obstacles. To have faith in humanity. The very battle of own struggles versus the better of society.

The story lets me question my moral compass and critical thinking to its limit and sometimes it misled me to an idea that probably had unfavourable outcomes. I found myself rooting for the idea that naivety is a form of greater defence rather than having a high degree display of intellect/ aggressiveness in manipulations and deceptions.

Cast
ML is awesome, cool and mysterious. FL is annoyingly naive-dumb-too-good-to-be-true and sometime unbearable to tolerate but I'm still rooting for. But Mushroom guy is the winner here. He is so irritatingly fun but hateful guy that I still want him to be around so that he can caused trouble and I can beat him up to it. The best character in the story tbh. The overall casts are pleasantly good and the chemistry works in a weird, quirky and disfunctional way.

Music
OMG the arrangment of the score was pure magic. The background music works like a charm each time. The synchronization is awesome. I love it.

As always; Do I want to rewatch it all again?
Yes, although the element of surprise is no longer exist.

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Mixed Signal with Mixed Messages

I have a mixed feelings about this one. I'm a huge fan of crime solving premises. Added with some science fiction aspect of time travelling, boy I'm sold. It's a potentially great drama to explore with however some of the plot developments in the story really bothers me. It infuriates me as the emotional elements somehow reduces the affect of an awesome investigation-time-travel story. It had potential. Wish it could have been better executed.

Story
Brilliant storyline. However it was caught up with too much emotional overflow that really takes a toll on me. For me its too overwhelming. At first I was able to focus on the story but as it unfold and explored further I find myself feeling frustrated of how things are progressing. The severity of each cold cases, of how cruel this world work in the story is really becoming unbearable to comprehend. It's one man versus the world. And I find it so disheartening. Almost too good to be true.

The unexpected outcome of each cases really threw me off-guard but not in a good way. I didn't feel surprised about it at all (its appalling tbh), and what bother me the most is how the good characters poorly-handled the radio-past-to-present situations. They are being inconsistent almost throughout the show. The first few transmissions are acceptable (forgivable); As it demonstrates of what/ who/ how they are dealing with. But as we continued on, it's becoming a tool of deception. A misleading setup. How the story would deviate and alter the future not according to our usual hopeful good expectations. Infact, it totally defeat the purpose as to why such transmissions ever took place. I was hoping that the characters could have made some progress and better themselves in handling each transmission that was being made. If you realized that you could change something in the past, would you hesitate each time? Or would you come up with better ideas on how to manipulate the past to alter the future? Sadly this story focus more on the emotional throttle effects than the logical/ critical thinking aspects. They scripted the story to have an over emotional and disastrous outcome rather than logical, make sense and satisfying ones; and that frustrated me beyond believe.

For example, I really wished that the future policeman's brother would have survived; instead they ignore his death and focus more on the emotional stir of bringing the family back together as his last dying wish. In my opinion, it would have created a better/ greater impact if the brother did survive. It give us as viewers a breather; a ray of hope that somehow in that cruel and harsh world that good will always prevail, but NO... this show prefer to keep taunting us instead (for the sake of realism). The fact that he seems to be desperate in saving his brother only after he found out that he was murdered, is really bothering me. So you only going to save him after learning that he didn't kill himself? Didn't you ever thought of saving him at all since the transmission started? Really?

I'm not saying that the story is bad, but it's not that great either. Why? Because I refused to believe such world existed. Where almost all of the characters in the story can be so ignorant, selfish, cruel, insensitive and inhuman.

Cast
Overall casts are amazing. The ensembles have good chemistry and very convincing display as good/ bad cops, villains, victims and politician. The emotions that they bring really makes me care and love them as characters. But at the same time they also frustrates me of their logical and problem solving inconsistencies.

Music
Hmmm pretty bland and very melancholic but acceptable befitting to time travel premis.

As always; Do I want to watch it all again?
Maybe but not in the near future. Need to have mental preparation.

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Love works in a mysterious way

Idk where to begin. This show is just pure joy and so original. The acting is so natural and the story unfold beautiful from start to finish.

One of the most memorable drama when I was growing up. This show remains to be my top 10 favourite dramas of all time.

The main leads were phenomenal. Their chemistry was so good from the get go. The rest of the casts are amazing as well. The interactions and conversations are so natural like it didn't feel it was written. Thats how good it is. Its like real people, dealing with their daily problems or inner-issues. The aspirations and the struggle to achieve the dream. Just how important it is to have someone next to you, when you feel down and defeated.

There are many moments in the show that I still remember to this day, particularly the rubber ball. Whenever I saw one, immediately I imagine myself bouncing it outside of my window from the top floor. Epic satisfaction!

As always; Would I watch it again in a whole? YES.

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Suspiciously addictive

I watch this without knowing about anything; whether the webtoon or any controversial issues. I was pleasantly surprised that I was hooked by the first episode. For me it's like a breath of fresh air. I've never met an antihero male lead in a kdrama that I couldn't help but to fall in love with. I root for him even though I know he is different. It's unusual for me to drawn to a character that screams as suspicious, cold, manipulative and conniving. His indifferent persona is really addictive.

Story
YJ is simply a textbook sociopath with good-looks-rich-cold-but-nice that everybody wants to be associates with. While Seul is the next-door-girl-hardworking-student that is doing her best to graduate and just want a secure future. Love is the last thing on her mind. The story started pretty strong, as being told from Seul's point of view. How a senior starting to act differently towards her. From him being indifferent to suddenly show some care and interest. And as it progressed, it somehow fails to bring the depth of what YJ character really is. We get to know him through Seul's eyes, and sadly sometimes its not being explored fully.

YJ and In-ho dynamics was a great potential arc but gone amiss by the usual-boring-pointless love triangle trope. Again because it was told from Seul's point of view, I guess the writer can't help but to go down the unnecessary cliche. If only they explored on how both men can mend back their broken relationship. It would have been better in my book. But no.. the show just want to divide and conquer us. It's team YJ versus team In-ho. I hated that the writer butchered such a great potential outcome from these two characters.

Then the story revolved more on Seul's surrounding rather than focus more on her relationship with YJ. It's confusing at times; When a tiny issue like a lost keychain could be blown up into a highly-tensed-pulling-each-other's-hair drama, or when stealing other people's notes/belonging could be tolerable and forgiveable. I find its hard to relate as some of these actions did not resonates to me back when I was a student. It's fictional yes but it's too far fetched if you ask me.

The ending although somehow can be considered as a happy one, is a bit letdown. Again, as being told from Seul's point of view and her surrounding, the growth of YJ as a character was being neglected and treated as less important (He was the main lead for goodness sake). I wish that Seul could play a role in his growth to be a better person instead of just being the catalyst.

Cast
Park Hae-jin as YJ is brilliant. He really brings out the cold and suspicious vibe as the senior who can be manipulative but charming at the same time. His little devilish smile really gets me everytime. What a performance. I became his avid fan ever since.

Kim Go-eun as Seul is good but a bit annoying at times. She did brings out Seul's insecurities and curiosity but her immature-clueless demeanor sometimes puzzles me. I wish the character could be more consistent. If she can be so sensitive about YJ's behaviour shouldn't she be more sensitive about her surrounding and pull herself together.

In-ho is annoying to me. I didn't find him to be that interesting as a character or a better love prospect for Seul. I refused to be sucked into a pointless-unnecessary love triangle trope when his real issues with YJ were being ignored entirely by the writer. Same goes with In-ha. The manic and bizzare acting by her didn't connect to me at all. I am struggling to skip the scene each time I see her.

The overall cast are commendable and convicing enough whether as students, professors, parents and office workers.

Music
It's pretty good and the musical score really helps to bring the right mood of each scenes.

As always : Would I watch it all again?
Yes to YJ parts and skip the rest.

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Missed The Train

I'm dropping it after 8 episodes. This is hardly a rom-com. Idk why they misled viewers like this. Please take note that I am an easy to please kind of viewer and being critical is the last thing on my mind but I had to put my feet down on this one. I was tagged along with all the hype about this show, and after 8 episodes, I don't think this drama is worth the buzz. Coz usually by now, for a rom-com genre, I'll be all giddy, excited and anxious to wait for new episodes every week. But this drama is doing the opposite. It's frustrating.

I guess I have to miss the train on this one and to everybody else who is still onboard, have a safe and pleasant journey.

Story
The show opens up with the introduction of the mothers (Suk-sisters/ Lavender), which is adequately interesting. We can see the dynamics and the rivalry of who has the better daughter/ son. However as it progresses, somehow their relationship felt a bit forced especially when the characters (not all) acted way too comical than it should, by age appropriately. I'm not saying that adults can't be childish and act silly but usually they don't. Yes, I have issues with my parents/ siblings/ friends (that includes wrestling with my brother but it stops as we grow old) but no matter how disappointing/ annoying/ hateful they can be, there is always room for privacy, not some public service announcement out in the street. So, aside from cursing, hitting, head-locking, bantering or physical altercations; Is this the kind of comedy the show would offer? For example, the news about Seok-ryu's broken engagement and quitting her job, were revealed in a most chaotic (unhealthy) setup and it made me hard to relate and empathize with any of them including Seok-ryu herself. So, is this scene served to be funny? If it is, I'm finding it hard to laugh and wish I could go back in time and skip/ fast-forward the whole shenanigans.

Respectively classic childhood-neighbour-friends-to-lovers trope is definitely superior in general, but for me, I've seen too many and it has caused me to be critical/ skeptical of this setup, and as of now LND seems to be nothing new or special. I can't help but to compare it with previous similar settings like in the REPLY series or the recent Lovely Runner (idol/ time travel hiatus), My Sweet Mobster (long-lost relationship/ redemption arc) and Dr Slump (rivalry/ mental health). So I'm searching for that 'it' factor which would make LND stand out and shine on its own, so far there is none. They did some flashback/ parallel scenes (like in LR); They even did a 'he said she said' with their childhood perspective (like in Flipped, an American movie; if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend that you do) but both couldn't deliver the same effect that I had as the latter.

Some of the plot was revealed so abruptly that it doesn't fit well to the story; somehow it doesn't reflect or do justice as to what was happening in the present. For example, Seong-hyo's accident; How can Seok-ryu forget that he lost his Olympic dream due to an accident. I'm a bit perplexed as to how it was scripted/ presented. It's a major setback in his life, so for her to diss and shrug him off about having a dream is mind-blowing to me. To make my point even stronger, she can recall him being hurt because of the fence back when he was a child, but clueless about him being injured in a car accident when he was a teenager? Yeah, mind-blowing pfft.. and not to include the bomb that they dropped in episode 8. There, I rest my case. Goodbye LND.

Casting
Main Couple :
Jung So-min is a versatile actress and I really love her works in this genre. In LND she portrays Seok-ryu as this competitive-chaotic gal, who does and says as she pleases, come and go as she wants and hardly takes no for an answer; in other words, imho came across like a big sister who likes to bully around. Her tone sometimes sounded a bit condescending and it's not really that funny being all bossy. I'm not really charmed by her but I still hope that her character is redeemable and is actually a work in progress. Other than her setback in her career/ love life, I still couldn't really relate with her. Even if she still holds some unknown baggage, I'm not that curious about finding it out. Unfortunately, that unknown baggage caused me to drop the whole thing.

As for Jung Hae-in, depicting Seong-hyo as this stoic-aloof guy, who marvels in his work but kind of circling in his own orbit. I find his portrayal to be not that really appealing, even when he delivers his witty lines and opposite reactions (says one thing but does the other). He is becoming predictable to the point that I didn't find any exciting element in him anymore. Despite that, I still hope to see some more colour in his expressions and fresh antics rather than being poker-face all the time. Because it felt way too repetitive and becoming a bit bland; especially in this genre. I get it that he is a newbie, but Uhm Tae Goo also made his first rom-com debut in MSM and he delivers. Sorry, I just can't help but to compare because both do have that same good-looking-stoic face.

Their chemistry? I hate to say it but... feels a bit mediocre. Why? Because as of now, I'm not really drawn towards them or rooting for their development. Usually by now, I could have picked a side and root for him/her to succeed but currently I'm still in the middle, undecided and sort of confused. The revelation/ introduction of 'he fell first and probably fell harder' trope somehow fell flat and ineffective. I mean, how can he forget about his time capsule-letter? It's quite acceptable if he has it way back when he was a little child, but as a teenager? Shouldn't those feelings linger and stay on a lot longer? And even if the feelings were being ignored/ gone, he would have still remembered it at the back of his mind, right? Even Mo-eum is aware of his letter. It's not adding up. Especially if Seok-ryu is that ONE person who really gets him, calls his bluff and pulls his leg (or pants); his so called biggest supporter whom he can't seem to hate and likes to be around. So the contradiction here is hard to overlook.. so yeah sorry, I'm not buying it. Not even the revelation of Seok-ryu's POV is going to make any difference.

Supporting Couple :
As for Mo-eum and Dan-ho, both actors are commendable. Their introduction is simple, short yet effective and pretty solid. I'm sold at a kind-hearted-klutz guy versus a strong-dependable gal. Their chemistry is good and probably still brewing. I look forward to their development despite their limited screening-time, but I guess their story is not that strong enough to make me stay around. Sorry.

Other Cast :
Suk-sisters/ Lavender - Love the dynamics and the antics. Kudos to Mo-eum's mom, whom I think is the anchor of the group.
Seok-ryu's Family - Relatable at certain points however pretty hard to watch especially with the over-reactions/ exaggerated bickerings and banterings (including the drum).
Seong-hyo's Family - Intriguing but awkwardly sad. My heart goes to all who have difficulty in communicating with their spouse/ children/ parents.
Atelier In - Okay and skippable at times.

Music
I was surprised with the intro. I guess it wanted to give the old nostalgic feelings but honestly not my cup of tea. Overall it's a bit mellow for a romantic comedy.

Should I rewatch it all again?
Nope.

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Fun Fanfic Ride

This series deserved more attention. I started watching this series without having a clue and I was glued to the end. The concept does reminds me of W : Two World and I may be bold enough to say that it surpasses my expectations beyond my wildest dreams. I was hooked by how the story unfold. It was fresh, manic, silly, unpredictable and I was pleasantly charmed by most of the characters.

I gotta confess that this series is the only cdrama that I fail to fast forward coz I don't want to miss out on anything.

Story
Omg where do I begin. It started out pretty simple about an optimistic girl who wants to secure her favourite web-novel copyright for her company. Then it got supernaturally transform into a parallel-cyber-world-fanfic fiasco. I was pleasantly surprised; left, right , top and bottom with the direction of our main characters, especially Yan Qi. Her nonsensical approach could be irritating to some but I was laughing hard all throughout her shenanigans in order to achieve her goal in shipping her OTP couple. You'll get to see her pretty straightforward-strong-head-on attempts of manoeuvring her bold moves of thwarting any threats that will harm her OTP couple. It's hilarious. Then the story took a dramatic turn of bringing the original author, Ji Shu into her fanfic-world, making the dynamic and the outcome of the story getting more complicated, hilariously interesting and unpredictable. Added with Ji Shu's unexpected ability to hear Yan Qi's inner thoughts making it more interestingly fun, fueling the contradictions and tug of war between them; Yan Qi's goal of bringing her OTP couple together versus Ji Shu's original plot to break them apart.

There are many cliches in this drama such as, memory loss, accidents, arranged marriage, forbidden relationship, revenge, unrequited love, fake-dating, to name a few; but they are presented in a refreshing manner. You'll never expected the twist in those few settings and I was laughing hard on the comedy aspects of its outcome. You'll never guess to see how a character got screwed in their own set of trap. But what I love the most about this story are the multi-relationships that was developed in the fan-fic world which are so lovable and cute; especially between Yan Qi, Ji Shu and Ji Fei. I really love their dynamics as siblings/ sister-in-law.

I thought I was dealing with one manic fan who ship her couple. Never thought I could see an office full of shippers and a fiancé who ships her rival to succeed. This is a true embodiment of what it means to ship someone. Kudos to the writer.

Cast
Yan Qi/ Xiao Qi is awesomely being portrayed brilliantly. Although some may say that she is being annoying, I just have to disagree coz Xiao Qi's approach of being boldly silly in her fanfic world shows her quick-thinking-wit to ensure her OTP couple will sail smoothly into the sunset. She didn't care if she looks silly. It's her fan-fic, so she is free to do whatever she likes; breaking all the rules. Its consistent with Yan Qi's optimistic vibe back in the real world throughout the show. Her strength is her optimism and her weakness lies in her fear of being alone; abandonment issue. Its refreshing to see that she can meddle in a pretty head-on approach to clear out any misunderstanding between her OTP couple. Something that often in any normal drama will drag on idk like forever.

Ji Shu is awkwardly aloof and I was convinced on his approach of being indifferent. His gradual change also being portrayed marvelously as the story unfold. We could see his affection towards Yan Qi is genuinely being build up naturally and doesn't feel forced. He needed her silliness to push and break his wall that he created to guard himself. His mental health issues was being presented quite subtly and how he overcome his illness is reasonably shown as part of his journey to be a better version of himself.

Other Casts :
Real world
Yan Qi's BF - Quirky and funny.
Ji Shu's BF - Funny and cute.
The office colleagues - Convincingly interesting.

Fan-fic world
Yu Le & Xining - Pretty mediocre.
Ji Shu's family - Awesome especially Ji Fei. Really adore her cuteness.
The office colleagues - Awesomely funny.

Music
Pretty decent.

Do I want to watch it again?
Yes, definitely re-watchable.

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