2
180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us
1 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
Gives off a 'front row seat' vibe
The mood of this drama is like a very gritty play where the dialogue is given the most focus and the actors convey raw emotion.The characters are flawed and hurting and in this secluded house past traumas come to the surface in broken remembrances.
Although it is dark at times this is still a story about love and loneliness.
A lonely mother devoted to her son but wanting to control and keep him with her as her best friend.
A lonely young man just discovering his sexuality and torn between his love for his mother and his burgeoning need for independence.
A lonely architect living a monastic existence as perceived punishment for past mistakes.
In their own ways each character is trying to use their influence on the others for their own advantage. The different means they use is what defines their personality. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the volume (lit and fig) of words and other times the silences are deafening.
Left me with a lot of unanswered questions.
Who was the most selfish?
Who really showed love?
Who was really the strongest of the group?
I would love to rewatch this as a movie without the breaks.
Was this review helpful to you?
Brings a smile
I decided to watch this straight after enjoying Choco Milk Shake.This was delightful and, I suspect, what I liked the most was seeing James, Prapatthorn Chakkhuchan, as Meow. The lighting, makeup, wardrobe all added to this total package of cuteness. I kept commenting to myself on how lovely he looked. If he wore a halo instead of those adorable twitchy cat ears I would have believed it.
To me he stole the scenes at every appearance.
The whole story is very innocent and nothing inappropriate occurs, although there are participants that wanted more they were respectful. Meow is so youthful in his actions (it is hinted that he may be 13 or 14 but acts very much younger) I had to look up his real age (23) his actions are sometimes closer to a six year old.
Gap in real life is 27 and we are not told his characters age, however, he does play the role of older brother (with a crush).
So although there is cuteness overload I feel that all the actors did a good job and possibly the director was at fault and needed more input from the real world for Meows character.
I smiled a lot.
Was this review helpful to you?
Quirky and layered
This seemingly simple drama has some subtle layers that kept me interested.Topics that are touched on - lightly because this is a comedy romance drama in that order;
how someone can create a lie and use their position and influence to cause harm,
betrayal by a friend can have serious long term effects,
not facing your fears can be debilitating,
fans can cause damage in social media.
Even though our FL has chosen to live in seclusion her thoughts are beautifully written and conveyed as inner dialogue.
The ML is almost the polar opposite to her and like a burst of summer sunshine he invades her life and heart.
There are some wonderfully lol moments and cuteness abounds.
Supporting cast are terrific too and the character development of both leads is believable. He used his smile and optimism to mask hurt and learns to be more realistic and she learns to stop hiding and confront or challenge what hurts her.
I liked Enrique's character so much I am checking out his other dramas.
Was this review helpful to you?
Weirdly wonderful
A lesson in good directing (Kim Hee Won) of how to take a somewhat obnoxious, yet romantic wealthy male lead and pair him with a mousy, people pleasing doormat style female and have you believe they are fated to be together.Jang Na Ra and Jang Hyuk turned a fairly standard plot into a very watchable drama, Their ability to act transforms what could have been 'cardboard cut-out characters' into real people that I could relate to, Each actor has added their own nuances to their roles that in another's hands could just be annoying and turned it into endearing The development of each role during this drama allows their weaknesses to become their strengths.
I laughed and cried and binge-watched my way through this drama and was cheering for them to be able to be a couple. The only let down was the wrap up at the end it felt forced and less authentic.
Well worth the investment of time,
Was this review helpful to you?
Fragility and beauty
This is a gentle and poignant reminder to savour life and our own frailties.The story plotline is sad and I shed a tear at the end, however, I recommend this drama for the beautiful production and telling of this sad story. I did not feel that there was any exploitation between the couple as his desire to be useful morphs into caring then love for this intelligent and beautiful older woman. The cinematography and dialogue alone make this very watchable. If you love books and writing then you will appreciate how the unfolding novel is like a metaphor for the inevitable sad ending of their relationship.
Showing Matsumura Ryouko's ex husbands stern and practical nature is a good counterpoint to her young lover So Chan Hae's more nurturing personna. At 50 she is attractive, intelligent and a respected teacher facing a known disease that will rob her of her humanity.
The creation of the random library is an act of love and displays how in tune So Chan Hae is with her. The fact that this library survives in its original form leaving a legacy of their love is one of the plot twists that I loved.
Was this review helpful to you?
Friendship and going against the odds.
You know you have a vested interest in a drama when a couple sit down to eat a bowl of noodles and I find myself crying.This is a drama I will rewatch in the future because there is a lot of depth to the characters. It has a storyline that depicts the passion of youthful dreams, the friendships that help move and motivate them towards their goals, pathos and humour.
The gaming element is handled well such that people like myself can become fully immersed in the competition outcomes.
The two main leads meet through a cosmic glitch and their interconnectedness is the main thread of the plot.
A well written script that has a lot of depth.
This has so much going for it that I hope many more people take the opportunity to watch it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Loved every minute of this racy movie.
Okay fair warning there is sex, vulgar language, hot kisses and nudity.From the opening scene we are primed to be ready for the R rated content. It is a fun, sexy, romp of a movie and the FL Yoon Jung (Kim Ah Joong) totally owns this role. The comedic timing is terrific and her portrayal as a modern, sexually expressive woman is refreshing. The ML Hyun Seung (Ji Sung) is not afraid to own his emotions and vulnerability. He later displays impulsive bravado with equal verve.
For me the movie touched on; what women do to spice up a relationship, how women react when a relationship sours and the role of relationship in women's lives - and it is fun.
Was this review helpful to you?
Online harassment is pervasive
I like the fact that the women in this story are smart (mostly) and supportive of each other.The drama deals with quite serious relationship issues of sexism at work, misuse of technology to spy on relationships, stalking ex boyfriend, females emotional support for their close girlfriends and bullying public opinion based on social media - all in 10 episodes so sometimes it is not polished but handles the topics well.
Seo Ji-seong (Song Ha-yoon) is a clever AI programmer and she is curious about a glitch in her Fridge AI that has access to a great deal of personal data. This data reveals her fiance is basically a sleaze who has posted 'non consensual' photos to his sexist buddies and made inappropriate comments in their group chat. I love that Ji-seong ditches him and does not back down in her condemnation of his behaviour. Her mum is very supportive of her, there is a terrific scene where the would be mother in law is given a thorough telling off by Ji-seong's mum.
Jung Gook Hee (played by Lee Jun Young, (loved him in Love and Leashes) is younger than Ji-seong appealingly straightforward and avoids technology. They cross paths frequently and a romance blossoms. Gook Hee has chosen to become a firefighter due to misplaced guilt over an incident when he was young. This guilt has emotionally scarred him and creates the back story.
The two girlfriends of Ji-seong are quite different personalities and are having difficulties in their own relationships yet always find time to offer their friendship.
The only jarring note for me was when Ji-seong was crying and hitting the fridge in a very childish and emotional outburst. I felt it was overacted. The rest of the time I enjoyed the ensemble and the plot.
Was this review helpful to you?
Art is the theme
I really enjoyed how this fantasy drama was portrayed.The emphasis on painting and the different styles and interpretations of how to depict a theme was very entertaining and educational.
The FL is caring for her artist father who has been driven mad. We later discover how and who was involved. Meanwhile his daughter is following in his footsteps. The back story of how she was blind and then became sighted is also part of the flashbacks that weaves together elements to bring us to the dramatic latter half.
The actors did a great job with special mention of the young actor playing the tiger demon. The ML, Ahn Hyo Seop, has different characters to play and is excellent in each.
As the blind scholar Ha, astrology advisor favored and funded by the king, he portrays a quiet dignity and elegance very appropriate to this role.
As the mysterious masked Ilwolseong he has built a network of spies and informants so is able to sell information to the wealthy.
As the Demon (Mawhang) and the use of CGI, he becomes a dangerously strong mythical creature.
The FL is a plucky character who is devoted to her father and desperately seeking a way to cure his mental illness. Her attraction to scholar Ha is very sweet and believable. She displays astounding ability to paint and to copy masters. This is her fate so that she can be chosen as the divine painter tasked with creating the portrait needed to use in a ritual to capture MaWhang the demon.
Visuals and attention to colour palette help to create the atmospheres of painting, love and crisis. The costumes and settings are done well and will be appreciated by anyone who enjoys costume dramas, The traditional Korean paintings a re a bonus.
If you are still hesitating about watching have a look at the extensive picture gallery.
Was this review helpful to you?
A super BL story that is about love and uses comedy to touch our hearts.
I fell in love with this drama the story telling is top notch. The pacing is perfectly suited for the culture and age range.I felt a little embarrassed during the first episodes Noey soon won me over. His wannabe persona of glamorous, vintage, gangster, heartthrob is comedic genius. He switches demeanour in the blink of an eye. Bullying gangster always ready for a fight to crooning singer backed by his ever faithful gang singing and dancing to impress is crush, Pam.
His outrageous outfits, hair gel and cockiness overlay a teenage boy who wants his own 'special' person. Thi, initially, gets reluctantly roped in to assist him in his love quest mission and too attempt tutoring this wilful young student.
The joy of the production is watching the two protagonists change to realise they love one another.
There is a 5 year age gap that has Thi and his parents putting up barriers. Noey's sheer confident belief that Thi has fallen for him allows him to ignore all knock backs and keep forging forward towards his goal.
One of the most heartfelt scenes is in Chang-Mai when Noey displays his vulnerabilities and wins over Thi.
Watch the ending credits for the dance scenes and I dare you to not hum along. :>)
Was this review helpful to you?
Dystopian view of future contractual marriages
What made this experience for me more riveting than most viewers was having read the book. It does not follow the storyline exactly and the script writers selected different aspects to highlight this dark drama. The premise of renting marriage partners for a 1 year contract with the ability to cancel and divorce with or without fault was briefly sketched but not well disclosed.The ML, played by Gong Yoo, gives a nuanced performance of a person scarred by first his mother's suicide then his pregnant wife's attempted suicide and subsequent death of their unborn child.
His current relationship is due to a contract marriage and when he begins to show too much attachment to the FL, played by Seo Hyun-jin, she abruptly ends it leaving him grieving.
His ex wife, although now also in a contract marriage, is shown to be still obsessed with him and deranged enough to install cameras in his home, threaten suicide and plant suicide pills in his studio.
Add to the mix another stalker who is a psychopath and also obsessed with the FL threatening to kill the ML and boasting about having already killed someone and the tensions are running high.
The trunk theme is based on the importance of the two trunks in the story.
One belongs to the ex-wife and is stolen by the psychopath convinced he will find damming evidence about the organisation and be able to expose them for putting him in a mental institute.
The second trunk belongs to the ex-wife and it too contains emotionally damming items.
The tension is slow paced, dark, brooding and oppressive a lot like how the relationships are featured. Use of lighting, music and atmospheric sounds keep the noir aspect.
The ending is hopeful and open ended.
Was this review helpful to you?
This was annoying.
I mostly blame the writers, especially the ending scenes.Yang Mi's character is a lawyer. I disliked her voice intensely it wavered between bossy school mistress to baby lisp. I could not imagine her being in court and we are not show any scenes, despite the premise she is a top lawyer. In the script I can accept that she has no desire to marry and play second fiddle to a husbands needs. I suspect she is possibly asexual because the lack of intimacy and passion shown and her overall stiffness. Always needing to be an alpha - top dog - her actions towards her fake husband (even after deciding she loves him) is often dismissive and she is competitive to her co workers.
Yang Hua's character is a genius stock trader, who, at only 22 gets set up as the fall guy and this crushes him. He is a bit of a loner and always wants to do things to the best of his (considerable) abilities so this set back drives him home and into a 4 year reclusive lifestyle.
His mother is quite controlling and his father thoughtful and compliant so his choosing a similar situation in the contract marriage is not surprising.
The 2nd ML plays his role well. He does not grasp the concept of misogyny even when the reason for the fake marriage is spelled out. He assumes the FL will come to him and is quite obnoxious when drunk. He also refuses to assist a female worker being sexually harassed by a client and tells his coworker to film the evidence and then does not report the incidence even knowing it is vital for a conviction.
The 2FL is young and doted on by her parents and feels very privileged. She perceives her fiance's renewed interest in the FL and her youth and jealousy cause her to create scenes.
The woman in charge of the Law office and the other lead female lawyer have strong roles. Neither is written too sympathetically and some of their dialogue is borderline offensive yet is not challenged.
It has an interesting plot framework that jarred with me on many levels.
Was this review helpful to you?
Be patient
I loved the two main characters and I felt invested in their outcome. The reason I lowered the score has to be the directing.A lot of the shots are muted, almost as though gauze has been added to the screen and like the opening scenes of shadows the story is not too clear.
Yes there is an easily understood revenge from a girl who was heart broken when her father left the family for another woman. Her pain is exacerbated when she tries a confrontation at his funeral and then, as details are revealed, she becomes obsessed with payback revenge.
Unfortunately her target is the woman's son and the story gives a good build up to how he is being targeted by her and a very viciously jealous ex boss.
The complex cultural need to lump a families wrong doing onto other members of the family is hard for me to fathom. The gap of a year before her sister lets drop the information that the man our FL has fallen in love with has actually been accepted by her mother beggars belief. On that note why does the ML also not share this gem of information but instead wanders off for a year?
I was exhausted by the last episode as the director dragged out the slo-mo movements and ML leaving then coming back with flowers. It felt too contrived and less logical.
Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshingly adult comedy with sex
Take two beautiful female leads combine them in a sex toy business and get set for a hilarious movie. I loved their friendship and how they both powered off each other to turn the ailing business into a thriving. award winning success.Cho Yeo Jung captures the business entrepreneur persona and is fearless in her exploration of her new found erogenous zones.
Clara Lee oozes sexual confidence in a wholesome way and is the expert in sexual toys.
The explicit antics are hilarious with some very laugh out loud moments. It is raunchy yet the director manages to inject an innocence into the scenes. I loved seeing Ra Mi Ran as the housekeeper and Bo Hee's mother (Kim Bo Yun) is terrific for normalising what most daughters can't handle - their parents sexual activities.
All the women are the star players including the world weary young daughter and the men have various levels of supporting roles. Go Kyung Pyo as the laughing policeman attempting to be a robot is excellent.
I think the atmosphere on set must have been a hoot and how they kept straight faces during the shooting the scenes is another story - a blooper reel would be a treat.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Was this review helpful to you?
loving one meal at a time
A heartwarming tale of two lonely people who have a slow burn romance.Tanaka Koki in his role as Sakuraba Isumi imparts a gentle earnestness to his role as a student with a passion and talent for cooking. He has a strong supportive friend, however, after meeting the local policeman, Tawada Hideya playing Amasawa Kyosuke, he starts to find ways to be with him. Cooking and feeding Amasawa becomes a pleasure he looks forward to and visits his home often. He begins to realise the depth of his attachment and budding romantic feelings and this causes him some inner doubts.
It is sweet to note his friend Yohei already new about his sexual orientation before he did.
Both ML roles have gentle masculinity and the story avoids the usual trope of differentiation into top or bottom characterisation. They also are naive in relationship experience and it takes a confession from Isumi for Kyosuke to finally view him as a potential romantic partner,
This is a sweet tale, light on romance with the food highlighting the giving of love aspect.
Was this review helpful to you?
