JulesL

Love to Hate - a fun watch

The story about a princess suffering a split personality because of something related to the Wolf Tribe and the son of the Wolf King was quite unique, but the resulting drama felt more like a filler type of series and not a must-watch. Still, despite its flaws that included unimpressive CGI and some draggy episodes, I enjoyed Wolf Princess. There were enough twists and turns in the plot to keep things interesting, and the chemistry between the ML and FL was good enough to keep me engaged. Furthermore, as light as this show was, it did manage to tug at my heartstrings, and there were poignant moments that made me tear up.

Yan Qing, the ML, was somewhat of a rascal outwardly. He was very smart, though, and was an experienced military officer with excellent martial art skills. He was constantly teasing Ling Long, the FL, but his actions belied his words as he would do things for her happiness and taking care of her silently, behind the scenes. Unlike the second male lead, Yan Qing also considered matters and issues from her perspective and never tried to impose his will on her even when he was concerned about her. He's a refreshing example of a non-toxic male lead.

Interestingly, Ling Long was the more "tsundere" after growing up with an alternate personality called Lang Yin and having to be constantly on her guard. She repressed her feelings a lot, and even though she was intelligent and resourceful, she often pretended to be submissive to further her agenda. Lan Ying, the other personality was bolder and brasher. The transition between the two personalities and the outcomes provided laughs. Also funny was the constant bickering between Yan Qing and Ling Long. At times though, I just want to shake Yan Qing and tell him to be more transparent with the things he had done for Ling Long, and I want to yell at Ling Long for being resistant and so hard on Yan Qing for so long despite her feelings for him. The saving grace is that the romance heated up nicely after Yan Qing became more obvious and openly showing his affections for Ling Long.

Connie Kang portrayed her character's dual personalities nicely, and I thought she handled the switching back and forth very smoothly, especially in her expressions and dialogue. I actually found this show after watching Jason Koo in the Oh! My Emperor series and he acted pretty well as mischievous Yan Qing. Sometimes it did seem like he was over-acting during some of his character's more goofy moments. To me, he is good-looking in a unique way. The same thing with Connie - she's attractive in a non-conventional way too. Even though I enjoyed watching the two characters' hate to love journey, I found myself often distracted by the fact that they both look quite similar, almost like siblings with a long facial structure.

The secondary couple was also cute together, but I felt that the show put them together to initially create the tension of love triangles that eventually got resolved by having the ML's friend and second female lead fall for each other. Overall, the cast was fine, and Yan Qing's band of loyal soldiers provided lots of comic relief.

Music-wise, nothing memorable except that the songs picked underscored the scenes nicely.

Overall, I would recommend that you give this show a chance and suspend your disbelief until the end. It is an easy series to binge and a good filler.

Read More

Hilarious and heartwarming

If you are willing to suspend your disbelief and accept a nonsensical plot, you will likely find this light and fluffy rom-com entertaining. This show is a good pick when you don't want to be too emotionally invested. The series is more comedy with a family-focused theme than romance, with lots of hilarious slapstick moments. While the romance was a slower burn and less intense than I had hoped, there was chemistry between the lead couple. Their relationship's progression was delightful, and while there was not much skinship or kissing, their interactions were so cute. The male lead was especially charming when he teased and flirted with the female lead.

As usual, Vill Sonthichai is lovely to look at, and I thought that she did well portraying Tammy/Cherry, the female lead trying to play mother to a challengingly petulant brood. I found her acting a little over the top at times, but I think that was more due to the directing. The supporting characters were so over the top and at times ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh.

It is the first time I have watched Chakrit Yamnam, and he has piqued my interest. His acting was excellent, and he was to emote and convey a lot via his eyes and micro-expressions. Unlike the other actors, there was no over-acting, and his experience really shone through as there was a certain dignity to the way he played Treeloj/San.

I did find the side relationships much less interesting, especially the one between Treeloj's daughter and his friend. I am less bothered by the age difference because there was probably a similar age gap between Treelog and Tammy, and more by the fact that the daughter was barely of legal age. For me, that subplot was unnecessary and added a twisted negative vibe to the show.

I like the featured songs. The title song has an infectious, feel-good energy that reflected the same tone of fun and positivity that was infused throughout the show. The ending song was fitting for the more romantic or poignant scenes between the main couple. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments were effective.

Overall, this is a cute series that I would recommend for light watching and laugh out loud moments. I would likely re-watch it on a slow weekend.

Read More

Not the most exciting drama but charming all the same

Those who like the emotional rollercoaster that Thai lakorns typically provide, will probably not enjoy this series. It is not your typical Thai lakorn where at least one aspect is emphasized and exaggerated. Still, I thought that Leh Game Rak is a pretty good show and while it is unlikely to get a lot of rave reviews, it is a pleasant enough series to watch. This series is so even-paced, so mellow that it feels like a slice of life show despite the heavy themes like the ML hiding his identity as he searches for his mother's murderer, and the FL having to grow up pretending to be a male.

Even though there are intrigue and evil plots, the drama is not dark at all, and the villains don't even make my blood boil like they do in other shows. For the most part, there is not a whole lot of plot development in each episode but just enough to keep the story going and for some reason, sustain my interest. I am glad that I stayed the course and watched the whole series until the happy ending. Despite its lack of intensity, I enjoyed the show and found the cast to be charming and engaging. The group of friends surrounding the ML provided some cuteness and hilarity, and I appreciate the heartwarming relationship the FL has with her family.

I do regret the missed opportunity the show had in the romance department. I have always liked Esther Supreeleela and I may be biased since I think Esther can play any role well but she is perfect for the role of Nan/Nicha. She has the right features to play a flower boy but easily transforms into a lovely lady. Son Songpaisan who plays Seifer/Aici is definitely pleasing to the eye and his voice is appealing. Together they had some sweet scenes and I suspect would have had really great chemistry if the story allowed them. I kept waiting for the spark to burn more intensely, for the skinship to increase and for the kisses to come. Unfortunately the show failed in this aspect for a romantic like me.

Also there's over use of flashbacks and on top of it, it’s the same ones over and over again.

Overall I recommend that you watch the show and decide for yourself. While it’s not a twisty-turny thriller or full of shocks or drama, it is a decent series all the same.

Read More

Good slow-burn romance with fun comedic moments plus an OTP with great visuals

Overall, this drama tried to pack a lot into the story, but the writing was not consistent enough to weave the plots together seamlessly. The show started strong for me, with its fresh take on the FL's background, where she was the leader of a righteous gang whose focus was on helping the common people. I was intrigued by the synopsis and looked forward to seeing the romance develop as the OTP learned to work together and overcome their class disparity. Unfortunately, the writer had to throw in the usual palace nonsense, including the "secret royalty" trope. It did all fit together in the end, but the story development was not that smooth. I don't know if it was due to bad editing, censorship, or weak writing that caused the pacing to be off.

Despite all that, I could not help but binge on this show. In fact, I even watched the last 6 episodes raw because I had to find out what happened in the end. Why? Because of Bai Lu and Leon Lai!

I was so drawn to the OTP's visuals and their story. I did not mind their slow-burn romance, and even though there were few passionate scenes, there was great chemistry between Bai Lu and Leon Lai. There was a certain dignity in how the ML and FL displayed their feelings for each other. Both characters were strong, intelligent, savvy, and well-respected in their own societies. Watching them come together and realize how well they complement each other was an enjoyable watch for me. Of course, there were angsty moments of misunderstanding and noble idiocy, but compared to other period C-dramas, the melodrama was not heavy.

Bai Lu may have reached 'girl crush' status for me. She has an on-screen presence that commands attention, an attractiveness, and acting talent that one would expect of a female lead. She has the natural arrogant face to portray Long Ao Yi perfectly, and one memorable scene for me was when she danced to counter the ridicule of the so-called high-society guests. Bai Lu used her body language and expressions very well in this role as she transitioned between an unruly gang leader to a palace concubine. One reason why I gave the show a high rating because of the strong FL character who was also relatable. I like that Long Ao Yi could always rise above it all, move on and focus on the big picture or main point. Yes, she had her moments of weakness or slip-ups and silly stubbornness that delayed the progress of her relationship with Liu Qing Liu. However, all that was what I would expect of the character who stayed true to herself the whole time.

The show made the right choice casting Leon Lai next to Bai Lu. His manly good looks and physique match Bai Lu's haughty beauty really well, and he has the charisma to play the aloof Liu Qing Liu. His icy expressions were not emotionless, and he was not stiff. This role may not have given Leon a wide acting range, but he did pretty well with his micro-expressions, especially when Qing Liu started falling for Ao Yi. Given that this is only his second lead role, I think he did a great job. I hope that he will be casted in more lead roles as he hones his skills further. Likewise with Alen Fang. I had watched him in "The Love by Hypnotic" and was impressed by him. His character Li Zhao did give me a little SLS, and I felt so bad for him who was so in love with Ao Yi until the very end.

The secondary couple, Xiao Qin and Ya Bin was cute and hilarious. The rest of the supporting cast did well too. The actions of the characters made sense and justifiable, including the villains'.

Great selection of OST! I like the songs picked to match the significant scenes between certain characters.

All in all, I would ask you to give this show a chance. 36 episodes are not that long compared to many other period dramas, and there are numerous parts that are good in Jiu Jiu Overlord. It provides a nice break for when you need some lightheartedness, and the good looking cast is a bonus. I already plan to re-watch the last 6 episodes when they are finally English subbed.

Read More

This drama was predictable but totally delivered on romance, light comedy, and a good plot. The cases were intriguing enough to keep my interest and provided a layer of suspense to keep the show going at a good pace. They also highlighted the great chemistry between the main leads as they worked together to solve the cases. I liked that the show had the ML discover very early that the FL was posing as a man, which was realistic given how intelligent and observant he was supposed to be.

I liked Sabrina Chen after watching her in My Unicorn Girl. However, she was even lovelier in this show. She has the perfect features to play a flower boy but easily transforms into a charming and beautiful maiden. I enjoyed watching her portray Su Qi, a female lead that was independent, rational, and has a high IQ and EQ. Even the dubbing used for her voice was suitable, quite unlike the usual high immature voices that C-dramas tend to use for female characters. Being a newly debuted actor, Zhang Ling He did well, with an ability to display a wide range of emotions. He was perfect as Pei Zhao/Prince Qi, who is now one of my favorite male leads. How can one resist a handsome ML who was absolutely committed and devoted to the FL, plus had the skills and power/influence to protect her? Pei Zhao complemented Su Qi so perfectly when it comes to physical appearance, intellect, and maturity. This OTP had many swoon-worthy love scenes with lots of well-done kisses. I love that Su Ci often initiated the kisses, and Pei Zhou always followed with deeper steamier ones! Also, the amount of attention paid to little details during their hugging and kissing scenes made me smile; like the way their gazes held, or the way the Su Ci tightened her grip around Pei Zhao as their kiss deepened. They were so cute together, even holding hands as they went about solving cases.

The secondary couple was also adorable together, and they were likable characters that added value to the plot. It was a good-looking cast overall (notable mentions: Zhang Jia Ding, Zhu Min Xin, and Li Jin Rong).

I like the song that played every time there was a meaningful moment between the OTP, but I did not find the OST memorable in general.

Rewatch value is high because I am a sucker for a good romance drama with great kissing.

Read More

This show does not take itself too seriously, but it is hilarious, cool, and fun! Cheesy one-liners, exaggerated emotions, and reactions - the actors seem to be having quite a bit of fun with their roles. The cast is great, from the main OTP to the secondary couple, to the supporting actors. Zhao Cuo's dad is great! Although there are a couple of side characters that are one-dimensional and cliched, most of the actors fit their parts well.

The lightheartedness of this drama is a perfect break from work, life, and other drama shows. Despite the silliness, I found myself immersed in the show's twists and turns, and the conspiracy plot. True, the writing is not smooth, and there are moments that will make you go 'huh?, how is that possible or what just happened?' but everything comes together nicely in the end.

I also enjoyed the romance and the bromance among the main characters. Esther Yu as Sanqi and Liu Yi Chang as Zhao Cuo have good chemistry together in an adorable wholesome way. I'm glad that they made Sanqi intelligent, brave with a unique interest, loyal, and has a backbone. Zhao Cuo is not the perfect male lead, but he ends up being the most devoted husband, and his commitment to Sanqi is endearing. Liu Yi Chang has the looks which I think will mature nicely, so I hope to see him in more projects. I am not sure if his voice is dubbed, but if it is his real voice, I like it! Esther Yu is super cute, but I wonder if she would be type-casted into certain kinds of roles because of her cuteness. Acting-wise, they both portrayed their characters pretty well, but they still need to continue honing their skills. I was less invested in the secondary couple since they did not have as much chemistry. Still, they make a good-looking pair. Luo Ming Jie plays a fine-looking but at times, emotionally clueless Bai Yi Fe well, and I love watching his interactions with Zhao Cuo. They play off each other well. I feel bad for He Zhen, the third male lead who comes into the picture too late and never really has a chance anyway. Still, his earnestness and care for Sanqi make me wish that he has his own happy ending.

The OST increased the coolness factor of the show since the songs are contemporary and well-chosen. Each piece was fitting to the mood and scene, but my favorite is Wander by Di Zhiwen.

I probably will re-watch this show since it is such an easy show to enjoy and binge on the weekend! I do recommend it when you are in a mood to watch a show just for laughs and cute romance.

Read More

Wonderful love story enhanced by the fantastic chemistry between the OTP and an awesome OST

I started this drama expecting a light romantic comedy but was pleasantly surprised by the emotional roller coaster ride towards the end. The comedic moments were certainly there, and there were many times when I laughed out loud. When I re-watched some scenes, I found myself already giggling and laughing before the scenes even began. This show was not perfect, but I like the writing because it managed to make me sympathize with the villains. I even shed tears for them, especially for Li Xun (Zhang Bo Ham) because they were portrayed so well by the actors, and no character felt one-dimensional.

There were many kissing scenes, rare for C-dramas, and so nicely done (no stiff pecks on the lips for the leads)! I love how the male lead's natural reaction was always to kiss the female lead, and the skinship made the romance felt real. I enjoyed watching the interactions between the OTP, and the progression of their relationship. Some scenes unexpectedly became memorable to me, like the wedding dance and the arrow shooting ceremony.

Li Qian is now one of my favorite male lead characters because he was never foolish, even as he fell head over heels for Ming Yue. Throughout the challenges and hardships that they had to go through, he was thoughtful and smart. He was so devoted to Ming Yue and remained steadfastly committed to her and their love. Also, unlike the male leads in other shows, he makes it clear from the get-go, his lack of interest, and has no qualms about rejecting the second female lead. Plus, he had such good lines when it came to romancing his lady! Fang Yi Lun did a great job, playing the fine-looking, intelligent, fair, but initially emotionally unapproachable 9th prince. He was able to display a range of emotions when necessary in the various scenes. I hope to see him in more lead roles. He is multi-talented since he also sang some of the tracks for the OST. As for Ling Mei Shi, I believe this is her first lead role as well, and she shined as the cute, mischievous, and street-smart Ming Yue.

I was also impressed by Ni Han Jin. He is certainly sexy with a great body but it was his acting as Yun Si that kept me invested in his story with Ming Yue. One could feel his pain from losing his one and only so unfairly and understand why his broken heart drove him to desperate measures. I had less sympathy for Hui Xin and her obsessive unrequited love, but Zhou Zi Xin portrayed the lovely but conniving character well. Another character I liked was Si Kong Zhen, played by Dong Yan Lei. His bromance with the male lead provided many entertaining scenes, and his dedication to their friendship made for some heartwarming moments.

The OST made its way onto my regular playlist - that's how much I liked it! Overall the songs complemented the scenes so nicely, and the instrumental pieces fitted the moods well.

I rated the re-watch value pretty high since I will likely watch this show again when I am in the mood for romantic kiss scenes, hilarious moments, or heartbreaking tear-jecking parts.

Read More

I REALLY enjoyed this drama! I was so into it that I binge-watched for 2 days to finish all 32 episodes. It is one of the few shows where I alternated between laughing, crying, anticipating and just plain enjoying.

The romance is fluffy and uncomplicated, with no stressful love triangle. There is a potential competitor for the female lead's love but no obvious second male lead here. I have to warn you that there are some heartache moments but the story is so well written as a rom-com, it made me switch my emotions back and forth and I had no time to dwell on the sad parts.

The plot line was interesting to me, and I thought it was well-developed. The male lead seemed rather naive in the beginning but that made sense given what he went through for the past years. I like that ultimately, they wove it into the story that he and everyone else acknowledged how unbelievably gullible he was initially.

It is my first time watching Yoo Seung Ho and he did an amazing job. I like that he did not portray a stereotypical Asian man who don't show his emotions. He cried so prettily and I find him incredibly charismatic. His gazes were definitely smoldering. Ultimately he came across as this intelligent and strong character who was not afraid to show his softer side.

Chae Soo Bin, the female lead was cute - she is not my kind of pretty but she played the role very well. She definitely had good chemistry with the male lead. Their interactions were so cute and fun.

The supporting cast did really well as well, and unlike other dramas, I found myself not skipping through the show because I was also interested in the supporting cast's stories. There could have been more character development for some of them. The villains were just evil enough but luckily not enough to make me stressed.

Music-wise, the selections were fitting but I don't find any pieces particular memorable. I did not try to look the playlist up in Spotify which is usually a clear indicator whether I truly was affected by the OST.

Overall, I highly recommend this drama because of its message about relationships and sincerity. It evokes all the emotions that you can possibly feel.

Read More

I want him to be my first love and my last...

The Emergency Couple started with eloquent, fervent declarations of love and had the grand gesture of marriage between our main couple, but the story did not continue with a happily ever after. Instead, it explored what happened when love did not conquer all during the first round. The show's premise was about a second chance at love, focusing on a couple who got divorced and were thrown together again with their lives intertwined by a twist of fate.

I found this plot appealing because it tackled various aspects of a relationship that otherwise would not be uncovered in a couple's first go-around. We don't get the thrill of watching the couple flirt, wondering when they will finally get together, and experiencing the big kiss. Instead, we get to see the more sobering effects of watching the marriage between the main couple fall apart in flashbacks throughout the show. There is a sense of discomfort when we find the couple, for frustrating reasons, could not make it work in the end.

That said, while there was some angst in this drama featuring Sean Jindachot and Bua Nalinthip, it was not an all-sob fest. Done with the flair that you would find only in lakorns, there was the feeling of hope and light silliness threaded throughout the episodes. The production of the show felt different, with a great vibe. The setting, pacing, lighting, and directing reminded me of American shows about doctors, but at the same time, had the Thai flavor. The show delivered the entertaining aspects of a workplace drama, served with the delicious anxiety of a romance story.

The major draw for me was the feeling of potential. The fact that there were redeeming qualities in the couple's relationship, as flawed as it may have been, suggested that it could be better than it once was and that the ex-husband and ex-wife could appreciate each other even more than they once did.

Pun Saksuan (Sean) and Punn Settan (Bua) portrayed a couple, divorced for six years, who found their paths crossing again as interns in a hospital. The play on the couple's first names must have been deliberate since the show took the opportunity to include scenes of confused identities. From the starting encounter, the viewers could tell that the story between them was not completely finished. The first few episodes highlighted their struggles in having to be in close proximity again and the messiness of their feelings of hurt and anger. There was some melodrama, featuring the typical annoying interfering (ex-)mother-in-law, but thankfully, the nang'ek (female lead) was not a screechy, clingy, crazy female. She was persistent indeed but still had dignity. The SML (second male lead) was tall, dark, and handsome. Sensitive and smart, I was rooting for the FL and SML quite a bit, especially when the ML (male lead) acted like a jerk initially.

As the story progressed, the couple rediscovered the lost love between them, and there were scenes set up to pull at the heartstrings. Lines blurred and crossed, romance wore different masks, and emotions were not as simple or neat as most of us like to believe. Mostly, the story development was fine, but something was lacking. I felt like I missed the turning point when the ML suddenly softened and decided he wanted to reconcile with the FL. The same thing happened with the second couple involving the SML, Mor' Gook (Dr. Cook), and Dr. May - they too had a history. Throughout most of the show, the plot hinted and teased at the attraction between the FL and the SML, but then, surprisingly and suddenly, feelings got redirected. I am not sure if scenes were cut or if it was simply some weak writing that did not connect the dots smoothly for me.

I have always liked Sean's acting, and his eyes are his biggest asset to me. It was again the case in this drama, where Sean delivered some great emotional scenes. Bua's characters tend to start off irritating but eventually become likable, and she did a great job during the poignant moments. The only drawback was that sometimes Bua faded into the background, with Sean drawing more attention. Still, together, they delivered good chemistry, and their visuals were, of course, attractive. Speaking of attractiveness, On Nophand Boonyai certainly caught my eye as the reserved attending surgeon responsible for the interns. Deliberately shown as scruffy, a doctor dedicated to his profession with no room for romance, he was the perfect choice to complete the love triangle of our main couple. Ultimately, he had his own story to complete with the lovely Dr. May, who was generally a wonderful character and by far the wisest and most mature among all. They too had their own second chance at love. While I was not satisfied with how the romance flowed among the characters, I was happy with the outcome.

The side characters added more interest, and the supporting cast did their jobs, some more exaggerated than others, but the over-acting was kind of expected in a Thai lakorn. The music soundtrack was not memorable for me, and I think it was pretty much one song throughout the show, along with some instrumental background music.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for watching romances rekindled with the push-and-pull and emotional turbulence that comes along with them, all set in an emergency room, and want a break from the typical Thai rom-com, this may be a good choice.

Read More

Mario and Kimmy Showing Off Their Comedic Chops!

Another fun lakorn that proves that the Thai know how to mix comedy, romance, and drama well, and in this case, there's some dabbling in the supernatural. Using hilarious dialogue and effective sound effects, the show swings from romantic to dramatic to funny quickly and smoothly, and it keeps the entertainment level high throughout the show. While the humor is mostly slapstick and low-brow, the show also uses a gentle version of dark comedy to deal with grimmer topics like death, sickness, and plain evilness that lurks in human nature. Just be prepared to laugh, cry and then laugh again.

The show follows our main couple, Thong Ek and Chaba, and their hate-to-love journey. In their case, opposites do attract. Thong Ek is an aspiring herbal master, knowledgeable and kind but being a hot-blooded young man, can be quite rascally, especially when encouraged by his equally flirty friends, Piak and Toon. Chaba is not your typical noble lady, expected to be soft-mannered and adept in managing the household. Instead, she is outspoken, brave, and more interested in wielding a sword than a ladle. Certainly not the kind of girl that Thong Ek fancies in the beginning. Thong Ek and Chaba start out as being hostile towards each other. Still, when Chaba gets inspired to study traditional medicine from Thong Ek, they gradually learn to meet halfway, and the feelings between the two eventually become mutual. However, the path they take to get there is full of humorous incidents, twists, and turns.

Mario Maurer is perfect as the goofy but charming Thong Ek, and really, he is simply adorable. So is Kimberley "Kimmy" Woltemas, who portrays the opinionated and plucky Chaba well. I like their characters, and together they do make a lovely couple. They are super super sweet after marriage! That said, I am not feeling the chemistry as much between them compared to other on-screen couples. Still, their romance is fun to watch,, and their antics, especially when Piak, Toon, and Chongko are involved, are guaranteed to bring on the laughter.

The show also features other cute pairings such as Perm and Glin as well as Piak and Chongko. Chongko totally rocks by the way! She is the kind of girlfriend that every girl should have, and I really want her to end up with the SML. Speaking of the SML, my poor Punjan Imanothai. He's hot, and his portrayal as Kla is sexy and sweet enough to cause me to partially root for him to win Chaba's heart. Plus the whole backstory of how they supported each other since childhood is endearing.

It's interesting that, like his character in BPS (Love Destiny), Punjan's Kla ultimately ends up with the girl who is in love with the ML initially. I did not mind it in BPS, but somehow, I really dislike the character Pong in this drama. I am not sure if it is Namwhan Supinchompoo's acting or the character is just one that does not sit well with me. She comes across as weak and sketchy; not obviously manipulative but at the same time not sincere. It is hard for me to believe that she has genuine feelings for Kla. After Thong Ek rejects her, she appears to shift her focus on Kla as a more viable option to live comfortably. Even on Kla's side, it feels more like Pong is a consolation prize, something to possess more than someone to love.

I appreciate the effort that the subbers made to provide the names of the herbs used in the traditional medicine. The show also delivers a good message about how the traditional way of treating illness can work together with the western methods.

I also like the instrumental music that underscores the emotional scenes. The opening credit song sang by Mario is light-hearted and upbeat, capturing the generally playful tone of this entertaining rom-com. According to a post I came across, Mario's ost is about "medicine to save nang'ek's heart from bruises".

Overall, this show is an enjoyable time well spent, especially if you are a fan of Mario or Kimmy. They both shine in this lakorn.

For posterity, I am recording the track list here:

1. Ya ya ya : Mario Maurer feat. Ayutthaya Cute Boys
ยา ยา ยา : มาริโอ้ เมาเร่อ feat. อยุธยา Cute Boys

2. Kord : Gun Napat
กอด : กัน นภัทร

3. Yood hai jai ngai kwa : Kala
หยุดหายใจง่ายกว่า : กะลา

4. Rak dee dee mai mee kai : Joke So Cool
รักดีๆไม่มีขาย : โจ๊ก โซคูล

5. Cross Love (V. Japan Rock) : Instinct

6. Mai rak khon eun : ETC
ไม่รักคนอื่น : ETC

7. Mai chai mai rak : Briohny
ไม่ใช่ไม่รัก : ไบรโอนี่

8. Hua jai hai ther : Ice Saranyu
หัวใจให้เธอ : ไอซ์ ศรัณยู

9. Hedpol kong khon mai dee : Opal Praput
เหตุผลของคนไม่ดี : โอปอ ประพุทธ์

10. Pror chanun : Zeal
เพราะฉะนั้น : ซีล

11. Pieng nai jai : Boy Peacemaker
เพียงในใจ : บอย พีชเมคเกอร์

12. Ja soo na ther yung ngai : Punch
จะสู้หน้าเธอยังไง : พันซ์

13. Yoo puer ther : Punjun Porrama
อยู่เพื่อเธอ : ปั้นจั่น ปรมะ

14. Rak tae mee kae krung diew : Nam Ronnadech
รักแท้มีแค่ครั้งเดียว : แหนม รณเดช

15. Rak chua nirun : Nan Satida
รักชั่วนิรันดร์ : แนน สาธิดา

Read More

This show is off-the-charts crazy, but in the best way

The King 2 Hearts is a dark comedy, filled with tension, humour and heart. Starting from the first episode, the show did exactly what it was supposed to do - kept my interest and made me invested in the characters and story. The writing was solid and the directing sharp. The story moved fast but was executed smartly. Overall, the setup about the North-South conflict was dramatic, but the tone was farce.

To me, what sets this drama apart is how it was able to fluidly change the tone from deadly serious to laugh out loud hilarity. One generally knew what will happen, but there were all these twists and turns along the way that kept me beyond entertained. I cringed and I laughed, I cried and I rejoiced, and I felt my heart swell up with love or pride only to have it shatter into a million pieces.

The cinematography was realistically rich and the show effectively used different angles like the fish eye and bird’s eye views of conversations. It also transitioned nicely from past to present and present to past (like Jae Ha with the window in episode 1 and Hang Ah with the compact in a later episode).

I appreciate the time the show took to develop its characters and making them multi-faceted. Across the board, the acting was solid and the casting was perfect.

Ha Ji Won’s portrayal of Kim Hang Ah, the tough Special Ops North Korean agent provided a nice blend of deadly force and girly innocence. I love her tough “I can beat any man in combat persona” while being so earnest and pragmatic when it came to finding a husband. Her acting was so good, transitioning from ass-kicking to being all girly in a flash. Her micro-expressions were so well-done like her hardening stare as she took down someone. She was also relatable - her fan-girl reaction when she saw celebrities on the billboards is how I would react, especially at the thought of training with them. BTW, nice job, Show for the nods to her other dramas - Jo In Sung from “What Happened in Bali” and Hyun Bin from “Secret Garden”.

I also admire the range that Lee Seung Gi got to play as Lee Jae Ha, our entitled prince. Spanning everything from being petulant, mean, and cowardly, to the complete opposite, where Jae Ha showed immense depth, strength and honor. These moments of maturity were often hilariously conveyed as unexpected pockets of goodness couched in lots of bratty behavior but when push comes to shove, our male lead ultimately stepped up and protected what matters to him.

Ha Ji Won and Lee Seung Gi were OTP gold! From reluctant teammates to friends to lovers, these two made a excellent romantic coupling. Their energy crackled and the show scored big by quickly scaling up the emotional tension between the OTP right off the bat in believable and meaningful ways. I was constantly at the edge of my seat, waiting for these two to either have a major showdown with punches thrown, or to make out madly. Either way, their chemistry was off the charts.

Ha Ji won proved her ability to bring out the sexy in her male co-stars. I thought that when I swooned over Yoon Kye Sang, her co-star in Chocolate, and now, who would have thought that Lee Seung Gi with his puppy look could look so manly next to her?! To give the male leads some credit, I am always so impressed by the actor who can alter my perception of his physicality - it's another level of skill entirely.

I enjoyed the hot-and-cold, push-and-pull between the OTP, especially when set against an international, political backdrop where their messages were conveyed through generals, kings and the press. Their banter tickled me immensely, both equally witty and idiotic and it was so refreshing to find a couple who actually possessed the chemistry to make their back-and-forth rapid dialogue sound so natural.

The drama also fleshed out the side characters very well, and this added much more depth to the story. I like that the North Korean characters were not presented as caricatures, and instead as relatable people with their own unique cultural background. It was fun seeing the comradery of the North Korean team, and having gruff Kang Seok become interested in SNSD added a funny touch. That said, I also like the through line of prejudice that the characters embodied. The show did a good job of pushing the envelope, using on-point comedic relief to lighten the serious premise. At times, the dialogue can be surprisingly offensive, but also honest. Even though the show was a fictional political farce, the feelings that were explored were real and interesting.

I just love that everyone’s family was so sweet on this show. Kim Hang Ah’s father was such a darling, a tough general who always trying to protect his daughter and doing what he thought she wanted. The way that the whole royal family interacted with each other was so cute and it was nice not having any family in-fighting for once. There was nobody out to steal the crown or trying to kill each other. The childish sibling interactions between Jae Kang, Jae Ha and Jae Shin were just so endearing.

Jo Jung Suk really does have a swoony voice and he is a great actor. His Eun Shi Kyung was so humorless and straight-laced, and yet so earnestly adorable and attractive. What happened to him left me feeling gutted and crying.

If there was one thing I dislike about this drama, it was anything related to Kim Bong Gu, played by Yoon Jae Moon who did well. Bong Gu appeared to be interesting at first as an absurd arch villain, but he lost his scary factor after too many pointless scenes involving him. Less is always more and had the show focused more on legitimately creepy moments with Bong Gu, it would have been more effective.

I would also like to add that the OST for this was well-chosen and the tracks fit the scenes perfectly. Some pieces were suitably tense, and the use of instrumental pieces for the poignant moments heightened the mood for me.

In general, I truly recommend this show - it was pitch-perfect, with great episodes up to the end.

Read More

Well-executed story, great acting, and addictive music

This lakorn is definitely worth the 1.5-day binge-watching with little sleep in between. The story was a good one, and the pacing was just right forthe most part. Unlike many "hate to love" dramas where the lead couple starts off not liking each other due to personality differences or misunderstandings, the female lead, Paeng indeed did something awful that justified the male lead, Arthit's intense hate towards her. For me, that made the story more interesting, and the character development for both leads more compelling. What made the story even better for me was that I could not tell when exactly was the turning point for Arthit, and when he began to fall for Paeng. Like Arthit said, "by the time he realized it, he was already in love with her". That was a poignant moment, and the progression of their relationship felt so natural and so right.

The cast was excellent, and the acting was on-point. As in many Thai rom-coms, the supporting characters can be over the top and at times ridiculous, but still, you cannot help but laugh. I have to single out Mark Prin for his excellent acting. Objectively speaking, Arthit was a total jerk during the first part of the show (although with good reason), but Mark managed to portray him in such a relatable and charismatic way that one cannot help but root for him. Kao Thanachart impressed me in My Secret Bride, and she did it again in this show except for some emotional scenes in which she did not quite nail them.

Some pairings just work, and lucky for us, the audience, this show got it right with Mark and Kao. Even though the kissing could be steamier, the chemistry between those two is terrific, and together, they make a gorgeous couple, likewise, for the second couple, Thanon and Ling. I really liked Punjan Imanothai in Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, and he played Thanon so charmingly in this show. Luckily he was not the second lead. Otherwise, I would suffer from SLS. Also, a shout out to Freud Chatphong Natthaphong, who played Kot for his comedic chops. I've seen him in quite a few lakorns. Deaw Suriyon Aroonwattanakul as Mark also did a great job playing a psychopath. He caught my interest in Nueng Dao Fah Diew and I hope that he will have a chance at being the male lead in the near future.

Another plus point is how well the show used music to enhance the mood and scenes. Using interesting sound effects typical of a Thai drama, the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes and then break the tension by transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted moments. I love all the music - the songs as well as the instrumental and vocal pieces.

I could not give this show a perfect 10 because of two main reasons - 1) the use of noble idiocy, a trope that should go extinct, and 2) the show skimped on romantic scenes between Arthit and Paeng. Instead of throwing in a subplot, we could have appreciated more scenes where Paeng fell back in love with Arthit after his confession.

Overall, I would recommend this lakorn to everyone, although I am probably among the last few who have not seen it earlier.

Read More

Letting Go of What Was and Accepting What Is

This show is not perfect, and at times, it can be a little slow but regardless, it is an enjoyable watch. It did a good job showcasing the romance between two people who have become jaded about love after suffering painful heartbreaks while delivering on good character development for all involved. The series balanced light and fun moments with witty and sophisticated dialogue. It also showed depth in dealing with heavier themes like mental illness and the pain of loss, and the struggles of moving on. Another plus point was the OST, and the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes during heartbreaking scenes while transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted scenes. I liked the tracks, all of them, including the instrumental pieces.

I loved the references to 'Crash Landing On You", and I had a faint hope that maybe Seo Ji Hye and Kim Jung Hyun may reunite in 'Dinner Mate' with a happier ending for them. Of course, that was not to be. Instead, we have Seo Ji Hye paired with Song Seung Heon resulting in a lovely, heart-warming story of a man and a woman who found love and comfort in each other's company as they share their lives through having meals together. I love that the our lead couple's story started with them crossing paths on Jeju Island, and through a string of coincidences led to them choosing to be dinner mates with certain ground rules like not sharing personal information about each other. That kicked off a comfortable relationship that allowed them glimpses of each other's brokenness, and eventually to them letting go of their past and starting anew with their own sweet romance.

Seo Ji Hye shined as the unpredictable, cool, and energetic Woo Doo Hee. She played such a different character in CLOY, and I did not expect to like her so much as PD Woo. She was charming, natural, funny, and the role of a strong, sassy FL who held her ground fitted her perfectly. In my book, Seo Ji He has proven to be a note-worthy leading lady. Song Seung Hoon's chemistry with her was magnetic, and as the charismatic psychiatrist Dr. Kim Hae Kyung, his acting was on point. I find it refreshing to have a leading man who is a true dramaland Oppa; mature, good-looking, suave, sexy, and most importantly, caring. From the very beginning, he was kind and considerate to Doo Hee, looking after her and keeping her company on the day of her breakup despite them being practically strangers. Throughout the show, we can see the dashing doctor going out of his way to help others. Honestly, Song Seung Hoon made my heart fluttered so much that I am on a mission to watch more of his shows.

The supporting lead stars were equally and effectively great in portraying their roles. Lee Ji Hoon left a lasting impression on me as Jung Jae Hyuk, Woo Do Hee's ex-boyfriend, who had to deal with his own family troubles and the resulting trauma. He was so good at emoting, switching easily to tearful, heartbreaking scenes that made me cry along with him. We can understand why Jae Hyuk left Doo Hee so suddenly, and I think one can also relate to his desperation to winning her back. For a while, I was rooting for him; that's how good Lee Ji Hoon played his role. On the other hand, I felt more hate than love towards Jin No Eul, Hae Kyung's ex-girlfriend, who wanted him back after realizing that he was still the best catch for her. Son Na Eun did a good job as the possessive, self-absorbed social influencer who eventually came to accept her past mistakes that led her to lose Hae Kyung. Additionally, Ye Ji Won and Park Ho San as Nam Ah Young and Keanu, respectively, provided lots of hilarity during their quirky romance.

I thought this show was under-rated on MDL, and I noticed quite a few negative comments were about how the show focused too much on the exes. I disagree - I found that the exes provide the right amount of tension, and it's the kind of conflict that I have come to appreciate about K-Dramas.

Overall, I recommend this heart-warming show about second chances and acceptance, accepting that some things are not meant to be and that it is never too late to look for happiness.

Read More

A simple, adorable, with almost no melodrama rom-com

I think the show deserves a higher rating on MDL, but I can understand why it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Despite being a period drama, there was a modern feel to it, which I enjoyed, and it was the perfect show to binge watch.

What I liked the most:
* Slapstick humour and use of comedic cartoon effects: Instead of being annoying, the visual effects managed to hit the right notes during the comedic moments and added to the hilarity.

* Cheesiness and fluff.: This show was definitely fluffy, but I was looking specifically for a show that was all about the romance and less about the melodrama. The simple, light-hearted plot was perfect for a binge session.

* Endearing romance between the leads: the "hate to love" romance between Tan Lingyin and Tang Tianyuan was adorable. The chemistry between Zhang Hao Wei and Zhang Ruonan was palpable, so much so that even little innocent kisses between them were enough to make me smile. There was just so much sweetness in their interactions.

Zhang Hao Wei stood out as the very handsome, intelligent, savvy magistrate who was the perfect counterpart to the female lead who was more rash and reckless. Typically the rational and calm one, Tang Tianyuan was also very consistent in his love for Tan Lingyin. He may tease her a lot, but it was obvious that he cared for her and constantly supported and encouraged her. He never gave up on their relationship, even during the rough patches. Zhang Hao Wei's acting was good, and he emoted well. You can see his love or pride whenever Tan Lingyin showcased her smarts.

Zhang Ruonan portrayed the mischievous, plucky, and cute Tan Lingyin perfectly. I liked that she was a strong female lead who was determined to be recognized and respected despite the social expectations of women at that time. Tang Tianyuan, as Lingyin 's childhood idol and inspiration, was a nice touch to the story.

* It was not all about love: The show did focus on the romance between the main and secondary (Zheng Shaofeng and Zhou Ruyi) couples, but there were mini-arcs about the supporting cast that drew me in. Unlike many c-dramas, which lose steam and get draggy towards the end, I was still engaged as the show drew to a close. Also, I appreciated the consistent portrayal of the female lead, who did not give everything up for love. Tan Lingyin remained steadfast in her desire to achieve her own goals, and Tang Tianyuan went up a level of swoon-worthiness when he promised to to respect her wish and come back to her.

* Awesome supporting characters: It was a good-looking cast for sure, and there were a few characters that added the extra oomph to the show. The bromance between Tang Tianyuan and Zheng Shaofeng was used effectively to highlight the different approaches the two men took to pursue the women they loved. Other characters I liked: Qing Chen - Tan Lingyin’s adopted brother whose character tempered her rashness; Duan Feng - the dashing bandit whom I would have shipped with the female lead in a heartbeat if Tang Tianyuan was not such a charismatic male lead; and Zhu Dacong which I thought was going to be the annoying second lead but ended up being one of my favourite characters because of his earnestness, his love, and respect for Tan Lingyin.

* Great OST – there were only 3 main songs that I believe were highlighted in the show but I liked all of them. Fortunately I was able to find them on YouTube music. The songs were memorable and the show used them effectively during the poignant scenes between the main and secondary couples.

My main gripes would be that
* The plotline about the ‘gold case’ was not that exciting, and the villains were rather one-dimensional.
* The second couple had more steamy kisses than our main leads. I noticed that lately in most dramas (be it Chinese, Thai or Korean), the main couples were always more restrained compared to the secondary couples.

Overall, I enjoyed the show and would recommend it to anyone who just wants to unwind or binge-watch over a weekend.

Read More

Solid plot, charming romance, well-timed comedy and enough political intrigue to chew on

This was indeed a well-executed show with a sophisticated and witty script. Good content filled each episode and the show balanced between political intrigue, romance, comedy, and drama nicely. The hilarious moments were well-timed, and using the OST and interesting sound effects, the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes while transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted scenes. I liked the OST, all of it, the songs and the instrumental pieces.

I appreciated how the writers realistically weaved in the theme of female empowerment without using the cross-dressing trope. The women legitimately proved their intelligence and worth, ending up as historians in the palace after passing the civil exam. The show also handled the inclusion of various thought-provoking topics perfectly, like the clash between the Western and Korean cultures and religion, the embrace of modern ideas like science versus traditional beliefs, and gender and class inequality.

Shin Se Kyung mesmerized me throughout the show. She acted well as our plucky heroine, plus she is so lovely to look at, and I quite enjoyed admiring her gorgeous features, especially during her close-ups. Her voice suited her character, Goo Hae Ryung who was thoughtful, intelligent, well-read, brave, observant, and rational. Her rationality could be considered a point of frustration for our male lead, Prince Dowon, since Hae Ryung usually did not have a romantic bone in her body. That why I was pleasantly surprised that she initiated the first kiss while quoting a romantic phrase back to Prince Dowon.

The noona romance was another plus point for the show. The chemistry between the two leads was palpable, and the show was clever to leverage the age gap and shaped out the characters in a believable way. Cha Eun Woo portrayed the handsome and naive Prince Dowon perfectly, an adorable young romantic who wore his heart on his sleeve. His micro-expressions were on-point, from being love struck to showing determination and courage when confronting his antagonists. It was endearing to see the character growth of Prince Dowon and, through his coming of age, evolved into a man who consistently stood up for his beliefs, principles, and his love for Hae Ryung.

While I enjoyed watching the romance between the two leads, I did suffer from SLS. I honestly would not have minded if Hae Ryung ended up with Officer Min. For me, he was an excellent match for the FL - a mature, intelligent, principled man would have been a perfect partner for Hae Ryung. I first saw Lee Ji Hoon in "Dinner Mate", but he really caught my eye in this show. There was a certain charisma that I found attractive. I felt the same way about Park Ki Woong, who played the Crown Prince. Those two men totally rocked facial hair.

The downer for me was the dynamic between the Crown Prince and the historian Song. There was just something about the character, Song Sa Hee, that turned me off, and I did not want to see the Crown Prince develop feelings for her. So I ended up fast-forwarding through some of their scenes. This is the reason why I did not rate this show a perfect 10.

The whole cast did well, and even though there were over the top characters, they fitted well into the story. There were no superfluous characters; each one had a purpose and lent to the story.

Overall, if you are looking for quality production, a well-written story with a strong female lead, and a charming romance, you might want to give this show a try.

Read More