timotey

I readily admit that this drama had its issues with pacing. The editing was chaotic - especially in the beginning - and some of the jumps in logic were mind-boggling, as if certain parts were simply cut so you were left rather confuzzled. But!

But the characters made up for it. I loved all the firefighters at Huo Yan's (Gong Jun's) station and his relationship with Yan Lan was just precious. The actors obviously had a lot of fun with their parts which helped immensely. Another thing that I simply adored? The parents. All of them. Every single set was kind and loving and they all simply wanted their kids to be happy and safe. Not a bad parent in sight, what a marvel!

The best part for me, though, was the friendship that developed between Huo Yan and Luo Jie. They started as rivals, both in their profession and for Yan Lan's heart , but they got past that rather quickly and then? Then they became besties! Gosh, that was so awesome. And it made me so happy!

Also, this drama is, first and foremost, an ode to the fire rescue of China. You have to accept that to enjoy it. It's Independence Day... just about Chinese firefighters instead of American soldiers. If you get easily annoyed by eloquent proclamations and hero worship, then this drama is definitely not for you.

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Lotsa Fun!

A very, very sweet comedy about how two young people met, fell in love, finished school, started a career, got married etc. It was really nice that we saw all the stages of their relationship because most stories end with the confession and then it’s an implied HEA, that’s it. Here, we saw what happened afterwards, too.

The actors had a fantastic chemistry and they played off each other perfectly. I loved all the funny noises that accompanied their reactions which made their comedic timing even better. I also loved how they used the fact that Gu Wei Yi was huge and Si Tu Mo was tiny for humorous set-ups, especially in the latter half of the drama.

Yes, around the middle, the drama started to drag a bit but once the lead characters became an item, it picked up again. Besides, the humor helped in places where the story might’ve fallen dull otherwise.

So, overall, a great story and, for a Chinese production, rather short with just 24 episodes. It’s available on Netflix and I can highly recommend it!

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This is the movie that WaterBoyy: The Series is based on. And I guess I am biased - the series does have New Thitipoom and Earth Pirapat, after all, and these two make everything twice as good - but I liked the series more.

You see, in this movie, some of the characters’ actions and reactions were a bit off, illogical, I couldn’t understand how they arrived from point A to point Y all of a sudden. Like, Meuk refused to break up with his famous girlfriend but he called Nam selfish and incapable of loving anyone but himself. So there were moments when I literally scratched my head and went, “Huh? ?"

Also, Nam’s father’s relationship with his very young boyfriend felt downright creepy, mainly because his dad looked like he was in his 50s/60s but his lover looked in his 20s. And he was basically using Nam’s father as… a layover? A bus stop on the way to another lover? So the whole thing felt very… icky.

One big plus? The film features Beam Papangkorn in the role of Meuk (Apo in the series) and he is very, very, very pretty.

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This was a very sweet story of reincarnation, deep love and deep regret. It was sad, touching, soft and loving with great actors and great cinematography.

Personally, though, I found the story a bit too slow and I think it would’ve really benefited from being shorter, the usual 12 episodes and not 17. To me it felt as if almost all the scenes and all the pauses between the characters’ reactions were a beat too long, it felt slo-mo without the use of slo-mo.

My favorite pairing was the secondary - tertiary? - one, WinTeam, because their back-n-forth felt more lively than the main pairs’. And my favorite character was Dean, hands down. His guilt he felt over what he had done in his previous life, his devotion to Pharm… it was wonderful.

I definitely plan on following Ohm Thitiwat and Boun Noppanut’s further series, they were THE discoveries of this drama for me. I’m very curious about their future career!

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I freely admit that I watched this drama mainly for the TeeFuse pairing and skipped pretty much everything else. Yes, FrameBook was also interesting but I felt that their storyline dragged a bit? Not that TeeFuse’s didn’t have its dull bits, too, sure. I think that 14 episodes was way, way too many and it should’ve been slashed to 10, 12 tops.

What fascinated me the most was Tee. He always seemed so… melancholy. He never got mad at Fuse, not even when Fuse decided to stay with Jean, he even promised to remain friends with Fuse, given a little time. And he never talked to anyone about how he felt, about his mother’s much younger and cheating lover, about Seed and his advances, about the whole Fuse situation, he kept it all in. I don’t know what it was about the actor playing Tee, Boom Krittapak, but to me he felt almost… ethereal here. Guest starring as Tee in WRU this year, he felt much, much more solid, real.

But regarding FrameBook, I truly adored the last scene with them, when Frame made the video to remind himself of what was really important in life: protecting the one he loved. That was incredibly sweet. And also natural, considering all that happened to Book in MIR2!

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This series had 3 main couples: PhaYo, MingKit and ForthBeam (see pic). My problem was that I didn’t really feel PhaYo - the main pairing - until the very last ep, only then did it get interesting for me. Before… not so much because Wayo was too immature, and even though I didn’t like the way Phana acted at first, he then got much, much better whereas Wayo devolved until it reached a point for me when I started thinking that Phana deserved better. It was only after Phana called him out on his behavior that Wayo changed.

MingKit and ForthBeam, on the other hand, I was behind them from the start. I don’t even know why but their stories, they simply clicked with me. MingKit was cute and ForthBeam was hot. I loved Kit’s family issues and Beam’s depression (though it was only hinted at), and that Ming and Forth, respectively, accepted them the way they were, with all their baggage…

Also, another awesome thing was the ride or die friendship among Phana, Kit and Beam. The way they took care of each other, genuinely, affectionately, that was another wonderful part about this drama.

And I’m so happy to hear that there will be season 3! From what I heard, Pavel Phoom (Forth) confirmed it on his IG. I can only hope that, considering the BTS issues, it won’t end up being another Love By Chance, that would… irk me.

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This was my first drama with Ahn Bo Hyun and I've definitely become a fan.

My favorite thing was, I think, the message that you can mess up, even badly so, but in most cases - murder excluded, of course - you can turn your life around, make amends and become a good person in the end.

I really liked the fine balance between funny banter/kick-ass scenes and very serious issues, especially when it came to mistreatment in the military. The drama knew when to pull back, when not to try and be funny.

Another great thing was the unexpected pairing that was Doberman's boss and his cop aunt. They were hilarious. And so sweet at the same time. And the fact that Doberman was very, very happy for them was the cherry on top for me because I expected the drama to go down the usual route of the ML not wanting his aunt to be in a relationship with his boss. So, thank you for that.

I must say that the role of a soldier really fits Ahn Bo Hyun. He's just the right type to play a guy in a uniform, he has the perfect presence for that. I very much approve!

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This was cute. A top university swimmer and a human Pikachu fall in love. After many obstacles, of course. And after he stops being a jerk to her. It's his journey, from a big a-hole to the best boyfriend under the sun. I felt very single after the final episode 😔

But really, it's honestly quite the sweet drama. He stops pulling her pigtails rather quickly, once he realizes that he might do everything in his powers to annoy her, true, but he hates it when other people hurt her. And he even enlists his mom to help her. BTW, his mother? Quite an awesome lady, also quite enamored with her son's new lady friend. No bad parents for this main pairing.

He truly is all ride or die for her. At one point, he's even ready to drop swimming, his lifelong dream, simply to protect her. Because if push came to shove, he would always choose her. Who would not love a love like that?

And she! Quite mistrusting of his affections at first, for obvious reasons, considering her powers. But slowly, she lets him in and she lets herself believe that his feelings are genuine and then... then she simply adores him. Their love is so soft and so honest. Once they get together, there are no big fights, no misunderstandings, only love and the need to protect the other from any harm.

I liked this one a lot!

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Oh, this was lovely! A sci-fi romp masquerading as a cutesy VR love story. And featuring Zhang Linghe in one of the main roles. Pleasure!

It took me some time to get into the drama because at first, it rather heavily focused on the main pairing, Lu Xie & Jiang Kele, but once the secondary pairing, Guan Qianya & Xu Nian, met, the drama really took off. Why?

Because the main pairing was the usual funny girl/bad boy pairing just, you know, with VR. But the secondary pairing was what really fascinated me: female CEO/"VR character" ordered by his boss to seduce her. I mean, wow.

And the reveals and twists! Like very sci-fi twists with a matrix-like game and androids and holograms and stuff like that. And all that wrapped up in a love story of a rich and powerful female CEO and a young man who's never left an underground facility and who loved her the way she deserved.

I must say, this drama pushed all my buttons and I couldn't get enough. I gobbled it with a spoon and I watched all 36 episodes in the span of only a few days, I just couldn't stop. Because the story was great, the CGI fantastic - and Zhang Linghe playing Xu Nian simply... *chef's kiss*

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This was such a great series, one of the best Cdramas I've seen so far. The characters were great, the relationships touching, the cases they solved always interesting and the main arc so well-plotted!

What I adored was that both Su Ci and Prince Qi were smart! They were intelligent and cunning and resourceful and lovely, kind people. But mainly, they were Smart(TM)! Both of them! And it was perfectly portrayed in how they both solved the final case, the main arc case, though they approached it from different sides: Su Ci by following clues, Prince Qi by trusting and working with people, winning them over.

Another thing that I loved was that Prince Qi suffered from PTSD caused by that one disastrous battle where he lost all the men under his command for which he never forgave himself even though it was not his fault but the work of a traitor.

Another thing that I loved #2 was how how much everyone loved Prince Qi: his brother (the Emperor himself), the Empress Dowager (even though Prince Qi was the son of her husband's concubine), all the prince's men (every single one of them would've died for him)... Because he was honest to gosh good people and everyone knew it.

I also loved how the relationship between Su Ci and Prince Qi developed, that he always supported her and ever since he found out that she was a woman, he did all that was in his power to change the laws so that she could officially work as an official. That was simply amazing.

Oh, and the ending was perfect. I loved it when found families stick together!

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This is a movie about Mei, a closed-off loner girl, and about Yamato, the most popular boy at her school who falls for her after she kicks him down the stairs, mistaking him for a pervert.

It's also a movie about bullying. Mei was a victim of it in elementary school and Yamato didn't stop others from bullying his best friend, also in elementary school, for which he feels guilty to this day.

It's also a movie about gossip and the damage it can easily cause. There's gossip about Mei, the ugly duckling who nabbed the most popular boy, and there's gossip about Yamato because all the girls want him and most guys hate him for it, even some of his friends, and envy turns people ugly.

Mei considers herself ugly and she doesn't understand why Yamato would date someone like her. Yamato doesn't understand why Mei would think like that when she's so cute and strong and she makes him smile.

What I love about this movie is that Yamato dated before and he kissed many girls and he slept with some of them - but he doesn't consider it something to be ashamed of. Yes, it happened and it's a part of him but it's not bad or wrong. He's always kind to everyone, even to his exes, and he treats them sweetly and cares about them and he has no regrets.

I also love that Yamato doesn't really give Mei a reason to be jealous, he doesn't cheat on her, it never even crosses his mind. Yes, he's nice to other girls but they're simply his friends and he never feels even slightly tempted to cheat. All the conflict stems from Mei feeling insecure about being his girlfriend - until she doesn't.

Overall, this is really sweet. I love the whole "Why me?" vs. "Why not you?"

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It felt like the budget for this drama was minuscule but it didn't really matter because the main couple carried the story with pride. Boy, did they carry it! After Her Royal Highness, this was the most sensual Cdrama I've seen till this day. Wow, just wow.

It was also the first drama that I've seen with Zheng Yecheng. And I am smitten, my friends! Another Cactor to follow, nice! Pretty, great at acting - and incredibly sensual. Gosh, his kisses were... err, well-acted *fans herself*

I really loved the push and pull between the main couple, their courting was a true game of equals. She was determined to get him and he was determined to resist - until he wasn't. And then it turned really interesting, you never knew who had the upper hand. Perfect.

Also, I loved the friendship between the princess and the lady-in-waiting, and the relationship between the Shen brothers. Both the girls and the brothers were willing to lay down their lives for each other. But whereas the friendship between the girls was very open and there for everyone to see, the brothers mostly acted like they didn't care but when push came to shove they both knew that the other would be there, be it for a jail break or spying on a rebellion.

Also #2, I really loved the main theme song. It was so pretty...

Unfortunately, the last few eps felt rather rushed, there were fast-forward time jumps, fade-out scenes, obvious shortcuts. But, yeah, budget, I guess. Oh well...

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I was absolutely mesmerized by Xu Kai's performance in this drama. His innocent Mo Qing. Then his powerful and stoic Li Chenlan. And then, Chenlan's slow descent into madness because of his sword... I was truly in awe. He's simply great in funny roles - he has comedic timing down to a pat - but honestly? His forte are all-powerful, God-like beings. You believe that he could easily mow down armies. Wow.

Unfortunately, this drama had some real issues with pacing - the last few episodes especially. I don't know if it was because they didn't get all the material they needed or if they maybe lost some footage or who knows what, but the lack of several key moments at the very end (like Chenlan entering/leaving his seclusion) was badly felt, thus the outcome lacked the much needed... oomph. If you get me. Oh well.

The drama was up my alley because of several things but what really got me was the switch in gender roles. The gentle, considering man vs. the ruthless, cruel woman. I love it when gender stereotypes are turned upside down!

Two things that I loved, besides the main couple, that is? Qin Zhiyan and her character development (from an annoying, cowardly chicken to a graceful, respected sect leader) and then Qin Qianxian's death (it was the saddest moment of the whole drama for me exactly because it was not sad, he wasn't killed he gave up his life willingly and he did achieve what he wanted, he helped all those murdered souls and found peace).

Overall, it's a great series with much awesome whump, especially on Li Chenlan's part, and a great OST. I can highly recommend it. But because of the editing issues at the end I can't give it more stars.

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I started watching it and then dropped it once, many moons ago. But this time when I tried it, it gripped me so fast I couldn't believe it. Hm, I guess you really need to be in the right mood for this one.

And, holy smokes, was I in the right mood this time. I admit, there're several dull moments around the middle but overall? It's ah-mazing! Especially the relationship between Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan. And I say a relationship and not a friendship for a good reason. Because if them two were just best friends, I will eat my hat. Because Wang Lu and Hai Yunfan went through a good half of your usual het romance tropes together, incl. falling down onto each other, taking a bath together, fake betrayals...

And then their last scene together, when Hai Yunfan decided to leave because, paraphrasing here, "You go through cultivation out of love, to save people. I do it out of hate, to get revenge. If I stay with you, I know it will make me vulnerable and weak and it will change me and that's why I need to go. But one day, when I do get my revenge, I will come back and find you." And then - the most epic of all hugs and Wang Lu remembering all their adventures together, crying.

Wow . I mean, the main het romance here felt like an afterthought, I mean Wang Lu didn't go all out with Wang Wu till Hai Yunfan left him. And though I had no doubt that Wang Lu and Wang Wu liked each other a lot, Wang Wu's heart still belonged to Ouyang Shang and Wang Lu couldn't get Hai Yunfan out of his head. The fact that their fighting styles - Wang Wu & Ouyang Shang's and Wang Lu & Hai Yunfan's - mirrored each other was, well, pretty telling.

But then the twist with the Sky Demon King at the end! And no season 2... Pah, humbug :(

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Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo or Clinic on the Sea is a slice of life slash doctor series about a clinic ship sailing from one isolated island to the next, helping the residents, mostly elderly people because the young ones moved away to big cities.

I picked it up for Fukushi Sota, even though he only plays a supporting part here. But his Noboru is such a sweet pumpkin. And the goodest boy there is!

Who really surprised me, though, was Matsuda Shota who plays the lead here because so far, I've only seen him play rather serious stoic characters and here he plays such a goof! A great doctor, but also a goof. And I must say that comedy roles suit him so well!

Overall, this drama was... so-so. It's a quiet, serene one but I did find it boring in places. And though I'm glad I did watch it, I don't think I will ever RE-watch it.

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