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An extreme emotional ride
I have some complexed emotions about this drama.It is not the greatest drama.
Some episodes had questionable directions and bizarre writing; however good grief, it was damn good.
The characters’ complexities were enticing.
The musical selections were on point.
And Darren Wang just blew my mind... and other things...
This actor has virility to sale... to share... to donate...;)
To say that he was ON FIRE; does not quite describe completely the depiction of the Chu You Wen/Lord Bo character.
I, for one, thought Darren Wang’s performance was undeniably stunning.
There were a multitude of intricate facets to the Chu You Wen/Lord Bo character.
Darren Wang knocked it out of the park.
Without saying many words; his pain, his cruelty, his aggressiveness, his viciousness and his profound love resonated and emitted throughout and from his entire person.
And that is an extraordinary feat for an actor to accomplish; while, wearing a perpetual impenetrable stoic face.
It felt if I had blinked just once, I would have missed something...
That was produced 3 years ago; I can not wait to see his more recent projects.
Fyi:
Let us take a moment to acknowledge that the best ancient Chinese man hairstyle of 2020...
Goes to Lord Bo.
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Conflict Between Ideologies and Life-Long Convictions at its best
Jang Hyuk utterly and undeniably stole the show.His character, counselor Park, was so profoundly well-written that I am having difficulty hating his character, even as a villain. He had layers upon layers… Even his layers had layers. One of the best-written villain’s characters that I have ever watched since the character of Yi Bang Won from “Empire of Lust.”
Kang Han Na was unapologetically superb in her role as Yoo Jung/Lady Park.
Her character personified that old saying…
“If she was a man, what a King she would have made…” She had all of the necessary and all of the sort-after attributes of a great King. Again, one of the best-written Queen’s characters that I have ever watched since the character of Queen Im Hwa Ryung from “Under the Queen's Umbrella.”
Lastly, Lee Joon…
What What can I say about his role as king, Lee Tae…?
I do feel bad for the actor. Any actor placed in a scene next to Jang Hyuk, whether it is a first male lead role or a second male lead role, is going to look unfinished and less skilled. Then, we have the writing behind his character… While his 2 costars’ characters writings were profound, well-written and full of layers, the writing behind his character felt weak, untrustworthy and incomplete. Throughout the entire 16 episodes, I really didn’t see any growth in his character. His character remained abundantly emotional, vengeful and neurotic at times.
All and all…
One of the best Sageuks that I have watched from Jang Hyuk and I am utterly impressed by Kang Han Na‘s acting prowess.
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This review may contain spoilers
A very unexpected and pleasant storyline…
Essentially, it was a very nice intermission contemporary esports/idol drama, while waiting for Falling Into Your Smile to be fully English subtitled… Which I just recently started. Unexpectedly for me, Love Scenery is wining, hands down.I wish that they had made use of Lu Jin’s fantastic violin playing skills in one of the Liang Cheng’s songs.
As for the old stalker/friend… I guess they just wanted an old creepy guy in the mix. Seriously, his character had absolutely no purpose in the drama.
Fyi: Lulu Xu and Lin Yi’s actings were effortlessly natural. One of the best chemistry and synergy that I have seen in a Chinese contemporary drama.
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No Boundaries...
Contrary to the popular opinion...I loved this first season of The Storm of the World.
It is a very rare occurrence for me to love a production from beginning to end. Even with the cliffhanger; which to me, is more of a bridge into the next season.
This Xianxia was very entertaining with the proper amount of magic...
It was very much “Love and Redemption” meets “Ancient Detective.”
And the leading couple was simply so endearing. I found their quirkiness rather charming and engaging.
The fact that I just adored both Zhan Yan and Duan Mu Cui characters, without any complaints or reservations was extremely infrequent, for me. It also helped that neither of them was annoying, obnoxious nor childish.
*Now, it is a waiting game for the second season.
I also hope they release the opening instrumental OST. It is so beautiful.
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Definitely Worthy of the American Series Crime-thriller, Criminal Minds
After the massive disappointment with the Kdrama version of Criminal Minds aired in 2017; I was a bit skeptical about Through the Darkness.However, i am so glad to say… I was so very wrong.
Through the Darkness is a well executed psychological crime/thriller production; well-worthy of the successfully and critically acclaimed American series, Criminal Minds.
Kim Nam Gil gave us a mind-blowing performance of a lifetime.
Adapted from the autobiography of Korea's first criminal profiler, Kwon Il Yong’s field experiences…
Kim Nam Gil’s genuine empathic character, Song Ha Young, certainly did him justice.
Great production, great directing and a well-versed cast, all around… Starting with the main leading cast to all of the supporting cast.
Through the Darkness is a well executed psychological crime/thriller drama.
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A performance worthy of “The Godfather” film series
This action/comedy thriller had everything...From the ridiculousness of La Commedia dell'arte (Italian Slapstick Comedy; which was undeniably appropriate for Vincenzo’s background) to the cold bone-chilling and straightforward seriousness of an Italian vendetta (Korean style).
A very well executed production.
*Song Joong Ki and Kwak Dong Yeon nailed their respective roles to a T.
Among all of Song Joong Ki’s performances... This was my favorite.
Indeed, a performance worthy of “The Godfather” film series.
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Thrilling With a Cute Side
One of the rarest and best modern Chinese productions that I have watched… IN MANY MANY MANY YEARS.It is reminiscent of a great classic K-drama thriller.
Thrilling, intriguing, and on point.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
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This review may contain spoilers
BEST ACTING PERFORMANCES by both Lu Han and Leo Wu
Wow...This is one of the very few greatest modern dramas of 2020.
From episode 1 to episode 36, there are no fillers and no boring moments. Each actor and actress play their roles to perfection.
By far, BEST ACTING PERFORMANCES by both Lu Han and Leo Wu.
Their synergy, their chemistry and their bromance resonate through the scene.
The integration of life-actions in the CGI’s fighting sequence scenes are amazing... And very well directed.
I am utterly impressed by the storyline and I am not even an avid fan of e-sports concepts.
Spoiler Alerts:
- Very realistic ending; which made this new concept very successful.
- The romance blossomed for both male leads.
Lu Han impressed me with his “rated R... abilities.” I am not going to lie; I am still shocked...
And Leo Wu’s romance was sweet, charming and so adorable. Fyi, his love interest (portrayed by Dai Lu Wa) was just as interesting as his character. Surprisingly, she was not annoying or obnoxious as it is “the norms” for most female leads in asian dramas...
- Both male leads met in the past and in the present.
*The general consensus:
“Cross Fire 2020” is a MUST watch this year.
Right now, there is not an e-sports drama concept out there that can surpass it, yet.
Personally, I am waiting for “Falling Into Your Smile 2020”with Xu Kai aka Xuxu for a comparative match.
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A butchery of the Condor Heroes’ legacy
Wow...They really destroyed and butchered the enchanting legacy of the Condor Heroes’ storylines with this adaptation.
It is not just a few things that are wrong with this adaptation; it is everything.
The overall acting of the 2 main leads, the unsavory presentation of all of the characters, the directing and finally the atrocious writing are just awful.
The only things that got my vote are the choreographed fighting sequences.
*Whomever writer who is behind this adaptation should never write, again!
Because I just can not comprehend that it is the same writer behind Female Prime Minister and Memory Lost.
I am smelling the presence of a “Ghost Writer...”
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A 1000 Years Old Charming Gumiho
Since this drama remained beautiful, interesting and entertaining in its entirety, from episode 1 to episode 16, then I will simply repeat my initial impression from episode 1.How can I say this using the most simplest words in the English dictionary…?
I simply loved this drama.
What a world of difference between “My Roommate is a Gumiho” and “Doom at Your Service.”
From A to Z… The writing, the casting, the general acting, the directing and THE COMICAL LINES were on point.
I am so happy that I waited for the full completion before I started it.
My Roommate is a Gumiho has become my third favorite Gumiho’s storyline after…
- Gu Family Book
- Gumiho: Tale of the Fox's Child
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