Great watch overall - hard to choose a standout factor amongst great project
I am writing this review probably a month after the watch of this show. It stuck in my mind as a great watch.One word for it - consistent. I was dropped into a bucket of emotion and comfort. I did not feel threatened by ridiculous plot or unnatural acting of the leads for the sake of story. They kept their character throughout (not suddenly cute while being portrayed as extremely cool). The makn character traits stayed the same -- some aspects of their character were challenged and some were relished by the moments in the story -- as it should be! It is really that easy, challenge the traits you give them as a writer, do not simply give them randomly new ones. It is life for God's sake (except dis fake life but ykwim, they be representing life).
Their chemistry was one of the best in bl I witnessed. Sometimes they made me feel butterflies just because of their bantering.
I do not particularly care for OST, so not really memorable.
One of fave watches of 2023.
Skip never.
Many rewatches shall proceed.
Also pls S2. Only if you won't disappoint me.
Thanks for reading.
Bye bye.
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Original to an extent...extent sufficient to warrant disruption in emotions
Original story. Handsome leads. Quite good acting. But what mattered the most is the chemistry made sense.Thank the Lord (!) that they were attentive to the build up, so their relationship was believable outcome. You can feel in the first couple of episode that nothing was hurried and it paid off.
Utterly enjoyable watch up to the confession episode and then it kind of drags into kind of unnecessary drama.
I was hoping to get healthy response from both leads to tribulations but they went the trope way and did not exhibit much new.
Not many hot scenarios but the tension was so palpable that it could be cut through the air with a knife. Love that. I felt emotions and it is immediate rewatch because of it. Shows both leads did a wonderful job at their characters.
Here the second couple just did not click for me. I can see they were trying to explore the bad boy trope who is also an uneducated man who follows his heart instead all of them educated bunch overthinking everything. However, ring ring, you do not have to be (un)educated to have exclusive access to any of those two mind states. Anyways, I could not feel chemistry from them.
The somewhat of antagonist, the ex, did a great job at his character. Zero cringe from his side. He should have been given more screen time.
The cast was very good and pleasant to watch. I think the key here is that they BOTH acted well, and looked good. It raised the bar and high-brow feel despite the budget. The atmosphere of drama was very expensive, for the lack of better words.
Overall,
Definitely not a skip. Wonderful backbone story that powers more than half of total episodes to be a delight without plot holes. They abandoned the backstory and did not develop its potential fully. Instead they imbued the story with meaningless office drama, in latter eps. However, the build up to them coming together was done brilliantly. Then the last episode seemed pointless. I felt a large decline in meaning of what I am watching in the last two episodes. So you see, up and down. I was surprised at high score output for this drama but I did enjoy how genuine it was. So do not let yourself skip it. It will move you. The attention they paid to the backbone story at the beginning is certainly something refreshing that I hope to see more of in bl.
Enjoy and thanks for reading.
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Taeseong.. sculpted like a dream... everything else a nightmare
I am a bit exaggerating ofc. Nightmare is more extreme than this show was. This show was no curves or extremes. Blant and blah.Story is non existent. Acting was also mediocre.
Two brothers from different mothers fell in love. There is a hitch. But so mild that I was left in meh mode throughout.
But props to little emotion evoked by the adopted son. I felt that little inner child that wanted to satisfy the adoptive mother. It hurt a bit. Also fluffy and supportive friends were cute, also the friend with good English. I notice you, okay?
Also, the first lead, the real son, Taeseong. What in the sometimes Yibo - sometimes Win-win combination was that?? God bless, all I gotta say.. his looks got better and better from episode to episode.. cleansing my eyes and keeping my attention until the very end. Many things were cringe but kissing scenes were not. To be expected from older actors but I was expecting nothing really.
Very uncontroversial, low stakes and unmemorable watch.
However it is just fine, you will not feel particularly disappointed, going back to beginning of my review. Is it worth it cos of the super handsome lead? It is 8eps but for me -- Not really.
That is it! Let's move on... although Taeseong.
Enjoy your day!
And thanks for reading.
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No high stakes from anyone and not a pass
Fluffy and non toxic.Dohyun. I give him some props for the way he is open and vulnerable and consistent. I like the characher.
Also bonus points for actors having their own interests and maintaining their individual character even without the other.
I realize that fluffy and feel good dramas do get on top of my watch list.
Someone said that you should not miss out on this.
That is how I feel. It is short, sweet and not a pass. The storyline is not complex some things are left superficial but the chemistry is there.
I cannot see you regret watching it.
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A tad bit more than your average crime drama... with that Mentalist charm sprinkled
I thought this drama was very very good. The plot points were interesting and classic criminal cases presented in a rather compelling manner.Drama also shed the light on complexities that surround the legal system and those within it. I think it is a thought-provoking watch on morality (and legality) and whom does it serve. And of what goes around comes around. The episode on the young women and the host culture was particularly impactful. The topics of exploitation and meeting one's fate in response to help attempts that backfired. Also interestingly psychological break-down of individual attempts to absolve ourselves of responsibility regardless of what comes after. Very good.
But we need to arrive to the center holding this universe together...
The lead that was perfectly cast. Kujo is almost like Simon Baker in the Mentalist. Simon Baker is Patrick Jane, and Patrick Jane is Simon Baker. The same could be said about Yagira Yuya playing Kujo Taiza. He did a wonderful job to realize the character as the nonchalant, clumsy but honest and almost accidentally gifted Kujo Taiza. Have no complaints about his performance. And I still do not understand him, and I want to. So props to Yagira.
While the chemistry with Karasuma was shed the light on the most, I thought that Kujo and Mibu had more potential especially with all the mystery surrounding it. It seemed that there was something behind the scenes that established their friendship. There was never explicit word saying they were, but the audience could feel the sense of comradeship between the two.
Waiting for the season 2. If it is not renewed, we are left with the amount of open loops could encircle the planet Earth. If it is cancelled I should come back to lower the score.
A recommend! Thanks for reading
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Blatantly overrated! A decent watch, occasionally entertaining, story meh
Entertaining premise with below average execution.Acting is decent but not perfect. Lee Jehoon as Kim Do-gi is the one with most screen time and also that might be why his acting flaws become obvious over the course of the drama. I do not think he can hold the main role with such script. Therefore, to mitigate that, the screenwriters should have pushed all members of the Rainbow Taxi team (Seong Cheol, Go Eun, Gyeong Gu, Jin Eon) to have equal screen time, and well polished background stories. The team members had quirks that would appeal to audience much more than blatant exposition of Kim Do-gi's as "hot and dangerous" over and over again. We get it, he is handsome but it becomes boring after exactly one episode and that cannot carry the whole 16 episodes...which seems what the screen writers intended. And again, it is not justified why Do-gi is the main character, as his story is not presented with particularly more depth, than any other.
Then as for episodes, well, all stories they have a pattern of being quite one layered. Killers/criminals are straight-up bad evil guys without any complexity. Do-gi beats them up, the team chips in marginally (but never can do anything on their own). Even the main characters have very weak development. I am generally disappointed by the script.
What is holding this drama up is the novelty of each episode having a new interesting premise (albeit I forget what I watched the minute I stop watching).
Brainless entertainment that you can enter with low expectation.
As the fan #1 of brainless entertainment, I will watch S2.
...But 8.8 for this drama? Someone must be tripping, and it ain't me.
Thanks for reading,
RXP
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A watch that you do not want to miss
"Win, disband. Win, disband. Win, disband. Just do as you always done."This is probably my third rewatch. And before going for another round I was convinced that I will be bored and more entertained with something new. Was I wrong? Of course.
I have to preface this by saying that Namkoong Min at this point is simply the safest filter for a great time. Watching anything from his catalogue will be absolute joy. He is versatile and chooses carefully his projects to reflect that versatility. And rarely I am not left moved by his performance whether it is action, thriller or romance. Such was the case with this sport drama.
Hot Stove League (HSL) is like no other kdrama you have seen. I am quite confident about this. (Please inform me if you see believe different). I mentioned in my review of the Daily Dose of Sunshine that evidently hardwork and love was put in that project, but the same if not more can be said about HSL. From the clothes and materials that perfectly reflected traits of characters, to consistency in character development throughout.
It is impossible that all characters had a solid backstory. Does this make sense? All of the characters that take up screen time had depth to them that was carefully constructed and maintained by all of their choices throughout the drama, whether they were the center of the scene or not. From the brother, to the players and marketing lead. to the antagonist; from the beginning to end you almost could have expected how the tv show ended.
The play with forgiveness and betrayal and so many redeeming arcs was done masterfully and not at all carelessly. It also beautifully reflects hope in humanity. Each character had their flaws exposed and it was clear that those who were ready to face them were to stay on Baek Seung Soo's team. Every episode carried a different challenge and the ending appropriate of the path that was taken from episode 1 to 16.
Numerous quotes that you will be taking down as you join this journey. And will be exposed to a skillful leader with integrity who inevitably takes you...to victory.
"If I listen, will they treat me any different?"
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The story that rewards knowing who you are
Well, it was entertaining because I had no idea how will the situation turn around that Shin Woo and Tae Kyung stop hating each other. And then if Da On will come around, and if he does how complicated everything will become.So I was waiting in excitement.
But chemistry disappointed me. And to be honest, none of the characters were particularly well developed -- flat and uninteresting indiviudals. You don't know much about Tae Kyung's background except that he is a loner. You know a bit more about Da On's background, but how much more? And Shin Woo, also zilch. And it is 16 eps x 30min, so I expected a bit more in content? in quality? Also story from beginning to end has no continuity in narrative.
Ultimately, one take away is that the story rewards knowing yourself. Do I like that or not? Well... I am not sure. The story rewarded a genuine and firm partner, and I mean I would choose that one too, but then when do we get to that point? We are all exploring and trying to find ourselves and the question is whether love is to look for someone who already has "found themselves" or we "search for true selves together". I guess Tae Kyung has the right to love who he wants..but it made me think about why this is drama. And how easily it was to let go of the one you "love". Ahh.
It was okay. If you have extra time, watch it, but I do not think it was anything special.
Thanks for reading.
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Funny and fully embracing you
These 10 episodes made me forget my life responsibilities and bury myself into the paranoia driven world of Aoki. And I was happy about it.Aoki as a character was so funny and his extreme expressions fit the character so well. Chemistry between Ida and Aoki did leave things to be desired, but that did not interrupt my enjoyment of Aoki's antics about his first time love. Or in general the atmosphere that the drama created: of friendship, of acceptance and reliability amongst each other. I noticed that the time was passing while watching this drama, and realized how wonderful it is to be young, that is, younger. There is certain innocence that marks that age of exploration.
The premise about the eraser causing misunderstanding was great. The way the main initiating event also tied in the story of Aida and Hashimoto (side characters) was lovely. I liked both Aida and Hashimoto as characters and rooted for both of their happiness throughout the show.
It is very heartwarming drama. It reminds me of coming of age gems like 'When I fly towards you' and "Weightlifting Fairy". Also I have noticed for 2021, it did not age badly. It is just right.
I have to say Japanese bl dramas do not have a high record in my watch history. I seem to either have poor choices or the way they explore tropes does not fit my preference. However, this one was wonderful. And it left me with warm and fuzzy feelings. Absolute recommend.
Thanks for reading,
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Grief is the main actor, and it is about to expose (of) them all
Definitely not your typical kdrama. But it is for somewhat niche audience, those into long-winded dark, dreary and repetitive points hitting the same spot.I like those dramas when there is a point to it and not exploitation of negative emotion. And there was. The point, I believe.
Overwhelming in intense gloomy and tragic undertones. Grief and coping are the actors in this drama, taking a large podium, to not immerse but drown each character. As if both take on a mercenary role. Each character is both momentarily rewarded and ultimately punished by decisions they made, rejecting grieving and coping in service of revenge. Grief is the main actor and not revenge, that is the point. And it punishes each character accordingly for that lack of awareness.
Which is an interesting take for a kdrama, not gonna lie.
The chemistry between Soo-hyun and Seon-yul was palpable. It never went the romantic route but I could sense the alignment between two characters that obviously found solace in their similar experience with loss. I wish it was further developed. This one does remind me a bit of My Mister in its attempt for two people to process pain together.
But this is not sad, slice of life piece. This took tragedy and packed a punch with some action, and quite a few, albeit predictable, plot twists.
There are of course quite a few duds, motivatios of Seon-yul fell a bit flat. Wrap up was rushed, general downer, and kind of too each. As if the production got tired.
Not many standouts (good or bad) among actors. The female lead really shone, and Kim Joon, one of antagonists. I did not see Cha Eun Woo laugh once. Gorgeous man no doubt, but I do not think he wants that to be the main takesway. I did think he did not have a range of emotional capacity/expression to deliver each scene, and thought both Park Bogum and Seo In-Guk would have delivered in this type of role perfectly. Albeit his acting continues to be average at best, he was not distracting from the plot for which I still approve of the show as a whole.
(Also, nice to see the lead of the Eight Sense getting his footing into kdrama industry. Little time, but step by step.)
Overall, I do not take this one as a binge. The main characters are complex and I believe the viewer should be a bit more invested to understand their perspective in order to enjoy this one. I would need to rewatch to understand better, but intrigue kind of dissipated.
Not for everyone, for sure. But an interesting one, 100%.
What do you think?
Thanks for reading.
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Leave the morality all those who enter... and enjoy great acting and some of best t-drama chemistry
Love mechanics is as ridiculous as it gets story-wise.Enter with zero realistic expectations.
After you accept that the ridiculous never steps down but each episode gets more unpredictable and immoral in many cases...then you have zero expectations and can just hone into leads and enjoy the best part of this drama...
Their acting and chemistry -- chef's kiss.
Kids remember, take no lessons from this one. None of these characters should be your ideal partner in anything but perhaps physical looks. Vee's behavior is for me very despicable in 99% of cases. Mark, what are you doing my man?
Hot scenes are hot because actors are good at their job. But they are often a product of strange and manipulative circumstances that SHOULD NOT BE PRESCRIPTIVE IN ANY CASE to viewers.
Now that being said, this is pure drama and entertainment. I hope you can only take it at that value.
Always a fun rewatch for me.
Tnx for reading.
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