Archie_A

It could have been Glorious!!

This series had all the elements of a GREAT story. I was engrossed for 6 days straight and sad that it was coming to an end and then the end came and I was left sooo frustrated, it's not even funny. That has to be the most frustrating end in the history of my drama watching. Seriously, how is that the end??!?

-.5 for Ginpei. I absolutely disliked Ginpei. He was the most annoying character in my opinion.
At first I understood his "oh poor weak beloved me" thing but as time passed, it seemed like that was it. He'd confirmed that he was weak and useless and nothing else! He'd occasionally blurt out redundant crap then slink back to the shadows till the next time we need him to blurt out more redundant crap, uselessly root for his brother and pity himself in that pattern. My problem wasn't that he never helped his brother, it's that it didn't even seem to cross his mind to find some indirect approach to help said beloved brother, He was never shown to even think of anything and discard it, He just never seem to consider any approach at all. WHY?!
I was so irritated with him by the end that when he blurted his usual redundant crap about being at fault for Teppei, I almost flew threw the screen to throw hands! How is a character this frustrating and off-putting. His tepid double-mindedness was not fun and in real life I have no idea what to do with someone like that. Teppei was a better person than me for managing him.

Now Teppei though, I JUST HAVE NO WORDS RIGHT NOW!

For Daisuke, I actually didn't mind the guy. No one in his life would grow a spine and ever talk straight with him so he did as he liked. I kept wondering what they were all afraid of him because we'd never been shown him doing anything harsh to his family members. Maybe its the fear of being disinherited that stayed all their spines, but then it should have been communicated better. It just seemed like they would upset when he or his mistress did something they didn't like and then they just got on with it.
So many conversations just weren't had.

The extras were extras till the end and no one extra'd harder than the mum.

I know my review doesn't reflect my score, this is because I just finished watching and the things that pissed me off are at the forefront of my mind, I might edit this later.

The most annoying thing is that this show was on track to being one of my GREATS! The story telling was sooo engaging. The melodrama was interesting. Teppei's wins felt so good and his losses hit hard but I can't help but feel that he ultimately lost which made rooting for him feel like a major letdown.

EXTREME SPOILERS HERE!!
How can you move forward or attain dreams if you kill yourself. Death is FINAL, there is no growth, no attainments, no rebuilding, no healing, no slapping Ginpei if you kill yourself before you find out if they were even possible and those things are only possible for the living.
Suicide is never the answer to anything and while I don't need every story to have a happy ending, at least let it make sense and this just didn't for me.
Also, what's that crap they wrote at the end about his dream living on? Was the blast furace built or did they just continue making steel like before? Talk about vague and annoying. What even was the point of his death except as tool for his parents to find out that he was Daisuke's? I also teared up at the end but alot of sheer anger and frustration was mixed in with the pain.

I'll stop here.

The music was fitting. The cinematography was beautiful. And the rewatch value matters on the feelings of those who watched.

Even ending as a steel worker, working with what he loved and raising his family would have been some sort of triumph for him.

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Another HXX amazing performance in a heartwarming sports drama again!!

This show is truly lovely. At first I checked it out cos the premise sounded okay but mostly for HXX (whose acting I totally love from HNG) but the story ended up charming me. At some point in ep 4 I thought I'd drop the show but then I figured I wasn't watching the show, just one person so I decided to genuinely watch the entire thing. And I loved it.
I had no expectations whatsoever and hadn't even glimpsed the movie it's based on but it was such a simple yet exciting story and though I'd wondered what drama they could squeeze out of a car racing story, not only did they have a story, it was organic. Never felt forced or ridiculous to me.

The car races looked real and exciting and I kept wondering if they had actual cars and racers in this locations. It was not a cheap looking thing at all. Infact it looked less real when they were supposed to be driving like regular civilians on the road 🤣

I'm glad I watched this show. HXX's acting is still one of the best I've seen across all the Asian dramas I've watched. There's a realness to his characters that I enjoy. There were times I thought he was a better Zhang Chi than the original (who I felt was more quiet and more like LZD). Ep 23: the treadmill scene was sooo good from an acting perspective.

Manager Ye is a close second in favorite characters, he was so warm and caring that he was hard not to love.
The entire team was sweet too. And I liked how they handled ZC's and Xiaohe's relationship.. I skipped some of it but it didn't feel inorganic at any moment for me. I just didn't need to watch it but I approved.

There were truly funny moments and warm moments and also sad ones that brought tears to my eyes.
Side note: It's funny but what broke me down was when ZC did the sweeping thing for LZD with Ye by his side in ep 27. I don't know why, but something about that sacrifice was what finally had me crying 🥺.

For a show I almost dropped, it has turned into a 9/10 for me. It wasn't perfect and HNG still has my heart but they told they story they wanted to tell, dropped me off at a place where I feel satisfied and happy I got to inhabit their world and get to know them for a little while and that is something no show has done for me in a while.

So thanks to all who worked on this, they should be proud. I watched this exclusively for 3weeks and all I have is respect and ♥️. Questions might come later but for now, I'm basking in the love.

Looking forward to HXX's next project Tientsin Mystic.

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Slow and Gentle, that became Meandering.

At its best, show was heartwarming, emotional and a think piece on the impact of the consistent everyday kindness on even the most hopeless and that was when I loved it best. For the first 11-13 episodes, I enjoyed what I was given though sometimes I just wanted it to move. They started miserable and a bit pitiful and they ended better??

Spoilers below!!!
Honestly I don't think the end was satisfying.
What happened with PDH and his wife? Are they still together? Is there hope? Is it over??
What happened with eldest brother and his wife? Do we just assume he will pay the loan and it's all good??
Why is mom always apologizing and sorry to PDH's wife like she has it rough for being a working helping wife? Old school mindset?
Spoilers ended!!!

I don't think I liked any character in the show. Maybe just the youngest brother, he was straightforward and refreshing in a show I felt many had the same note.
At its worst, it stretched beyond what was needed, almost too much crying and I just wanted to see it end.
Maybe I watched it at the wrong moment because I really like the slice of life without romance genre very much. I'd saved it since 2021 after hearing amazing things about it and I think I can see how it's so beloved but at the time I watched it, by ep 13, I started working while it ran in the background and didn't care to see what I'd missed cos it just felt repetitive and dragged..

Sometimes I really liked it but I never loved it.

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There is a solid story here.

This will be long!! This is a scatterbrained attempt at a review but I really wanted to write one so here we are.

When it first aired, there seemed to be an influx of negative comments highlighting how bad many things were. But I’d decided to watch it over a year ago when I heard that there would be a show in an assassin organization so I stopped checking comments and decided to watch for myself and that is the best decision I think anyone can make with a show they really want to watch.

I watched BR almost like a brand new drama with no expectations because I remember almost nothing from TBOY though I've watched it. Infact, I honestly don’t even remember SCH and SMY from TBOY. Until I checked and saw them on a clip on youtube, I honestly had no idea who they were or what they did there.

What I really loved was the story...
I like that we get right into it from the beginning. The Patriarch is hurt and the patriarchy is seemingly up for grabs within an assassin organization made up of three families with very little trust between them and a thirst for power. Its a rush to heal him or kill him and it looks like a free for all but there's a schemer with a whole other plan controlling some aspects of the plot. That's the kind of power play stuff I like and SCH did well with it.
I was never confused with the numerous characters at the beginning as they were color coded by family and there is no need to remember a large cast within the first three episodes, there was always going to be a weeding and cool down process with a story like that so I just tried to know what family each person was from and that was enough before everything settled.
I like SMY and SCH's introduction, you immediately understand that they are on opposing sides but they are also dear to each other.
I liked how every arc was an organic offshoot of the last one. No new arch felt misplaced like"where did this come from and why". I perfectly understood why each arc had to happen and also the hardships that were part of their goal.
I really liked when BHH asked SMY when they would get to the other shore, it felt like she was asking for us the viewers because I'd also wondered when they would reach the other shore and what it would even mean to do so. But show made sure that we were clear on what reaching the other shore actually meant, it wasn't just a new place physically but a new way of living for every member.
This brings me to the end, I really like that it wasn't a perfect end yet it wasn't a failure by any means. What they were seeking might take a generation to achieve but that doesn't mean they should stop and we can see that they were clearly willing to bet their lives on it and would not stop even with the disappointments they faced.

What I liked
- SCH, He was maybe the first character that really piqued the curiosity from the time he showed up. I liked his first interaction with SMY. The way his voice said ‘only you think anhe is your home’ stood out to me for the delivery and also because it immediately showed how their different mindsets at that point. Plus the voice acting as well as the physical acting was so lovely. And I liked that his character was smart, strong and wary.
His character was one I always loved to see on my screen and he gave off that -teetering on the edge- vibe sometimes. Plus some of his outfits were my favorite especially the one in ep 10, that red and black was delicious and his eyes always looked birdlike to me.
- The brotherhood between SMY and SCH. It really was one of the draws of this show and I think it was well done. It really conveyed the feeling of “I-trust-you-even-when-I-don’t-know-what-you’re-doing-but-I'll-still-trust-you-because-I-KNOW-you.”
It was so well done that you begin to understand that they know each other on a whole other level and respect and love each other regardless. I like that SMY knows how ambitious, greedy, conniving and cunning SCH can be and still chooses to protect him and even help temper him. And I like that SCH knows how honorable, righteous and rigid SMY can be but still chooses to be close to him, infact doesn't see any other options than being so.
We are so clear on their relationship that we have an idea of what one would say or think towards the others action even when it’s not shown and that’s really the best type of friendship. It didn’t give shippy vibes but one of genuine respect and loyalty to each other.
- BHH, so I already said I didn’t really like TBOY and one aspect of that was the cute-voiced female who I just never grew to like. I was afraid that BHH would be like that but I can reasonably say thatI don't think this drama would be the same without her. Romance or not, she’s not just a pining damsel in distress and she was competent and independent enough for me to respect her. Plus I liked her teasing vibe with SCH.
- The plot and writing was really good. The story of a power tussle within an assassin organization is already an interesting premise and I think they do a good job of conveying it from the first episode with the betrayals, plans and schemes. I loved all the scheming at the beginning and could have watched it for another 10episodes. I was initially afraid that it wouldn’t be as interesting when the first arc was done but it was shockingly still good. I found the bumps they hit realistic and they way they moved to the next arcs felt organic and the ending made sense to me.

What I didn’t like
- I sadly never really liked the ML. I read from comments that he was actually conveying the character accurately based on the source material but I found him quite stiff, and sometimes he just looked almost uncomfortable or something. I didn’t hate him, infact I grew to accept him but never really liked the way the actor played him.
- The last 5 episodes were a bit draggy and ultimately made me lower my scores.
- MYM and TLY were two I could have completely done without. I didn’t enjoy their story at all or the way it was acted by both and ended up fast forwarding their scenes a lot.
- I wish the zodiacs were used better and actually powerful or something.
- My worst con are the action scenes. This is not a new complaint for me but the action scenes can be so confusing to watch. So much twirling, tumbling and posing all over the place with a nice helping of not-great cgi. I really hope they improve this aspect of their magical shows.

The music didn't stand out to me so I guess that is both good and not good as it means it wasn't annoying but it wasn't great or memorable either.

Random thoughts
- My only ship in this show was the Li Hanyi and the Scholarly Sword deity (forgot his name, sorry), I thought the vibe of headstrong fussy strong girl was well tempered by the calm, mature, coolheaded, equally strong nerd who wouldn’t and couldn’t be cowed by her as well as match her in power levels. I’d watch that drama.
- Maybe I should peek back into TBOY as I’m truly curious as to what would cause the divide that will bring about that tragic ending for SMY and SCH.
- Mu Ciling was a great standout and I wish to see more of that actor. That character could have been very cringy and animesque but instead he was interesting and I found myself enjoying the way He spoke and his quirks.
All 3 corrupt Tang Clan heads had some my favorite outfits, and the ones I’d wear if I could, looked so comfy atimes.
- Where are all the MOTHERS?! So many dead mothers!!
- I said Tajaja so many times while watching this show : )

Have a nice day!

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Solid story with a great cast

I started this drama cos the story was unique and nothing like I'd yet watched and I'm happy I gave it a try. I didn't have a single problem with the cast and asides from the first episode, the BGM never gave me any problems and I really liked the opening song, listened to it every single time.
The idea was good and I learned a bit about M&A, like it's not as emotionless and cold as I used to imagine. There's actually a lot of feelings and considerations when it comes to selling or giving up an asset even if it'll enrich you. I think Yoon's team did a good job of being considerate, infact it was far more than I'd expected but ultimately not unreasonable to me as a novice to such things.

Eps 7&8 were my favorite episodes of them all and really the peak as I didn't enjoy the final four very much.
I'm not really a fan of the revenge theme. I do understand the idea of an overarching story but I wasn't expecting it and didn't love it. I really liked the idea of a company in trouble bringing the best in his field to help them out and the resultant friction that could cause within a company such as that but the whole 'ex-employee revenge thing' just tired me out and I ended up watching the last two episodes in disjointed bits.

Its still a solid show and I might even check it out if it gets a second season because when the show was good it was really interesting and engaging and if you don't mind the revenge thing then you might enjoy it all the way to the end. (But I doubt I'll be rewatching this one again.)

Special shout-out to the production crew, the show was lovely to look out.
Professional looking people within a very polished and beautiful world (great cinematography.)
Chairman Song was an interesting character and I think the actor did a great job.
Lee Je Hoon was just a joy to the eyes. I loved the white hair, he looked ethereal atimes and his acting was good but I have to say my favorite character was O Sun Yeong whenever he was around, he looked so effortless and gentle especially his eyes and his voice is so soft and I guess I just liked him.

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Applause!!!

It's been a long time since I watched a procedural cop show.. I was burned badly by like 4 diff dramas in quick succession (tho all Korean) and it just took me out of my love for crime and cop dramas especially in the Asian sphere but on a whim, I saw this on Netflix and decided to give it a try and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
It wasn't trying to be anything new but what it did, it did well. The cast was one of the best part of it all for me. They were fun, dynamic and interesting. I enjoyed the acting from everyone but especially from Ibuki, Shima and Kuzumi. The cases were interesting and well written.
Some episodes really made me laugh too so that's a bonus.
I don't really remember the song but it didn't detract from the show so that's okay.
I think I could rewatch this sometime in the future.

One thing to note is Ibuki could get comically loud sometimes and tho this is something I don't enjoy in most dramas, but I just found him so charming that I kept forgiving him and I genuinely think he's a great actor.

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Heartwarming, down-to-earth and beautiful

I watched my first Thai drama 4yrs ago and disliked it so much that I hadn't gone back to Thai dramaland since and it so when I saw this in Netflix I wrote it off but the story was really right up my lane and based on a true story and wouldn't just stay out of my mind, so I decided to try it out and I'm glad to say that I did not regret doing so at all!

I love this movie. It is a beautiful depiction of the imperfection of family, and loving each other regardless of those imperfections. It's not a groundbreaking story or new but it's human and I loved that. I loved the down-to-earth acting and feel of the story.
I loved watching the story unfold and watching the normalcy of their lives and also seeing what little I could of the Thai culture.

I think the actors did a great job even the little granddaughter Rainbow. No one was hateful or unbelievable, I loved it. The Grandma-grandson duo obviously carried it and they carried it well!

I especially loved the grandma so so much, she was my favorite character. Reminded me of my grandma, all sass and character and strong-willed 'I can do it all myself thank you very much', and I bless God for each day of her continued good health.

I'm giving this show a 9.5 solely because of some editing issues that occured a few times like in the scene where he's talking to his uncle. It was few but it felt like something was cut out and I noticed it about 3 times. It was a tiny thing but I unfortunately kept noticing it. Other than that, this is a really beautifully shot movie, I'm glad I watched it, I'm happy to try out Thai media again and I'll love to rewatch this someday.
High rewatch value for just the lovely story and gentle depiction.

I noticed and loved the music and it added to the movie. Sometimes I don't notice the BGM or OST of what I'm watching and I usually don't mind because it means, at least it wasn't bad but sometimes I do notice and it's usually cos it's great or terrible. Here it was really good, a light and sweet BGM that added to the story and I liked hearing it.

Please if anyone has any recommendations in this vein, from Thai or anywhere else, please share with me.

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Bad Case of the Wrong Audience (maybe..)

Maybe it's cos I'm not a young adult anymore or about to write an important exam or was never a teenager or something... I'm not so sure why but this drama didn't resonate with me at all. Infact I found it quite uninteresting. It's sad cos I was really looking forward to enjoying this as it reminded me of a movie I enjoyed, titled Coach Carter, which had the same premise of a teacher taking special interest in a "bad class" and working with them to give them options in life.

I respect good teachers and education as a resource for personal growth but I got tired very fast of the preachy way things were said especially by the teacher alllll of the time and unfortunately none of the kids stories struck any cord in me. I dropped by ep 11, skimmed from 12 to 16 to see if it got better and finally couldn't go on.

The acting was not the strongest for me from the students. Especially with Gao Yuan. Was not the worst but no standouts.

I barely remember the music but I remember not hating it so..

I understand that they're trying to encourage the youth to stay in school but it seemed that's all the drama was ultimately about and I don't think this was made for me at all.

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