roumma54

I enjoyed reading both your posts with the comparisons to other films. I’m glad you changed your rating!! I’m also rating it a 10 and glad they did not go down the adultery path. I had the same relief when I watched Past Lives!!!

This film for me also has a similar vibe about soul mates and lost love as the critically acclaimed 2023 film Past Lives. Us and Them for me left a stronger impression but both films do have a huge emotional impact. I shouldn’t compare but I do love the production choice of the filming of this movie in colour when they were together in the past and black and white of the present because without her his world is colourless!! This added an extra dimension of brilliance for me.

I very much enjoyed this film. It had such a deep emotional impact and in some ways, although a different scenario, reminded me of the 2023 film, Past Lives which received many accolades and critical acclaim. On MDL it is rated 8.2 whereas Us and Them is deservedly rated higher at this time at 8.4. I rate it a 10. The production utilising colour for the past and black and white for the present was so apt and portrayed so well the powerful theme, “If Ian could never find Kelly, then the world will be colourless.” Loved it!

Thank you for the heads up. If you had not posted this reminder, I would have missed it. The messages during the credits were so beautiful and affirmed the poignant tone of the film. The voiceover narration at the end by Jian Qing added to the depth of this film. Much appreciated.

I very much enjoyed this series. Yang Se Jong as Gang Uk is so likeable and his character and friendship with his colleagues was a highlight of the series. His chemistry with Yeori was lovely. I liked that the focus did become the romance rather than the ‘spookiness’ however the ghost connections that did emerge were very interesting especially the episode with the little boy. That was so heart wrenching. I loved the last episode which revealed the gratitude of the departed towards the help that Yeori provided. I’m glad I waited until all the episodes were released before watching. Another attraction for me was Park Eun Bin’s wardrobe. 😂😂😂I loved all the outfits (she didn’t wear the same thing twice!!). The series was an engaging and entertaining viewing. Just like Sticky in Love, a k-drama that I enjoyed very much. For me, they are both 10/10. Sometimes I just want to have an easy watch with not too much realism and depth. Nice!

An outstanding series. So much depth in storytelling and characterisation. From the stunning artistic visuals in the opening credits and beautiful OST (another wonderful Liu Yu Ning song), this is such a memorable series. The two leads are amazing and especially Ancy Deng. (I preferred her in this rather than her portrayal in Melody of Golden Age!) So much talent and maturity for such a young actress. The scene in Episode 34 in the prison will remain with me for a long time with such superb heart wrenching acting by her and Ding Yu Xi. Thank heavens for a sensible Emperor. The actor here has such an imposing presence. Liked Bai Shu in Legend of the Female General and he does a great job here as well. So much sympathy
for the fate of Yu Cheng, General Mo and young Ji but none for the Yu couple and their son, Jing Xiu. Madame Yu will always be one of my most hated villains with Ting Yun’s Granny a close second and not forgetting Ting Yun’s father-so many awful selfish people in this story. Both Madam Yu and the husband were terrible parents and how they treated their son was despicable. The end for the Left Censor in Chief was too easy and didn’t satisfy my need for justice. He needed to suffer more and face accountability for his evil deeds. The two actors that played Sen also stood out. I felt sorry for Concubine Wu and glad her life improved but have no sympathy for Yake despite her unfair treatment by her husband and in-laws.I just couldn’t warm to her plight but somehow felt pleased her life improved (again poor Ji!) and that she made peace with Ting Yun. So many more comments I would like to make but will also add here that two of the POB actors had interesting roles. I very much admire the acting of Wu Hao Chen who nailed his role as Mr Jin which was so different to his memorable portrayal as Wei Qu in POB and seeing an awful side to Hu Xiao Ting as Ms Shu was an eye opener especially her viciousness when dealing with Madam Wu which was so shocking and different to her pleasant portrayal in POB. Loved the last episode which revealed the outcome for all the main characters. I wish all the series have such satisfying endings.

Those poor aunties will be inconsolable!!

Very well expressed. I am definitely on the same page as you in regards to your appreciation of this series. Thank you.

This is a most engaging series which I enjoyed very much. The horror for me is how cruel humans can be with the main human antagonist being the scary one rather than the grotesque creatures of the spirit world. I was more grossed out by the spirits rather than actually scared but kudos to the special effects team for their achievement. Loved the little Ggeomeoksali ‘labubu’ type creature and its encounters with the ml. Loved Gu Cheon’s feigned indifference towards the Ggeomeoksali which added a warmth and cuteness to their encounters!!! Great cast especially the ml and fl with a lovely dynamic developing between them as the story progressed. Nam Joo Hyuk played his role so well. Roh Yoon Seo is a standout (love her in Crash Course in Romance) and most special accolades to Jang Young Nam as the Queen Dowager. She seems to be in everything lately. She is such a versatile actress and always excels with whatever personality type she portrays. Definitely amongst one of my favourite ‘older’ actors.

Your English is perfect. I am a native English speaker and I taught English Literature in High School for 44 years and I would have scored your English language competency A+. Now I understand because of your explanation. Thank you.

I’ll also add that I think it meant that Li Mao was not the Grand Tutor’s son after all. Any ideas if that’s what that last bit meant?

Thank you for your thoughts which I read. Totally love your assessment of this drama. Well expressed.

I also found it hard to understand. I watched that last bit after the credits several times and am also hoping for an explanation.

There were some parts that were far too silly and farfetched but I got through it. I also wouldn’t watch it again but it entertained me nevertheless. I also watched it for Tan Jianci but I also like Landy Li.

When he pretended to be blind and then had enough of the deceit and he screamed at Cheng Cheng and Yuan was a very dramatic moment and a turning point in the drama. Such a great actor. Earlier when he was colour blind and he only saw the colourful Cheng Cheng wearing the traditional Tang dress at the fair was such a beautiful moment.

Tang realises later in the series and explains why he loved the two fake filtered characters. This became clear to us as the viewers when we saw that he could distinguish his feelings between having no feelings for real Dr Fang and having the heart throbbing when he was with the fake Dr Fang who was as with Miao, really Cheng Cheng. He was falling in love with the person beneath the filter so it didn’t matter what they looked like. Love how he understood Cheng Cheng and forgave her despite all the trauma he faced losing his ‘loves’ and questioning his sanity.

I enjoyed this series very much. I was expecting more angst from Tang especially as he was gaslighted so much by Cheng Cheng and her accomplices. What she did to him was so horrible. Tang’s confusion, fear etc and eventually initial anger was so well played by Tan Jian Ci. Superb acting. I was conflicted by my frustration with Cheng Cheng’s character being so cruel but also sympathetic to her situation. Landy Li portrayed her so well. Very moving scenes between Yuan and Gu although this plot deviation had nothing directly to do with the filter story-line. A lovely romantic couple. Wonderful comedic moments (although I could have done without the alpaca episode!!!-it was still cute but added sadly to Tang’s trauma) where I laughed out loud (notably the unexpected dive into the lake by Miao followed by Tang as well as the broom kiss!!) also very poignant messages about self-esteem. Loved the final scene. It was very sweet. Overall a most entertaining series.

I laughed so much at that scene as it was so unexpected.

I really liked this vertical drama. Really great quality through acting, script and overall production. Definitely deserves a higher rating. Great cast especially the two main leads. From a trivial perspective, the FL’s clothes were the best I have seen in a vertical! Highly recommended.

A shorter than expected vertical drama at 48 episodes but also well done. A green flag ML and a strong FL are pluses for this drama. I enjoyed this one very much and the casting of the leads were well chosen. First time seeing them and will check out their other dramas.