Charbonnel

I want to say, I see it to Natsuo’s credit how he has been about Hiro’s identity. He recognised similarities, many times, but the most fundamental things that he is demonstrating here are trust and benefit of the doubt. He took Hiro’s words at face value because he has no reason to distrust him.

He chose not to continually pester Hiro about it and instead uses the fact he has mentioned Hiroshi as a way to speak fondly of Hiroshi and, by extension Hiro because of their similarities (in Natsuo’s mind, not yet the same person).

As much as it may seem dumb to many that Natsuo doesn’t recognise Hiro, I feel the positive of it is overlooked.

I am really enjoying this. Both characters are naive in different ways but I’d say mostly sweet so far. Where we are at is inevitable. Aiming at revenge but discovering the target is just dumb with good intentions? If you commit to that revenge you are stone cold, but if you don’t, the past will rear its head eventually. I believe in them. Their chemistry is sweet to me too, touch really isn’t everything and I can appreciate when a show doesn’t feel the need to throw tons of it in there.

I can indeed link the soundtracks! In particular I might highlight Introduction by Solar Fields (first video on the first playlist):

Mirror’s Edge Soundtrack: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGv-HhXd-ygHiIRoFKucIzHu9-AguHcmH&feature=shared

Mirror’s Edge Catalyst Soundtrack: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k0BfZ6gEW2-5n85XcrsCkdYN-aUaDFy_U&feature=shared

Sorry about my reply being late, but I hope you may find some music you like here! ^^

I totally agree with you on the nc scenes topic. I noticed it has happened with a lot more shows of late, and I really don’t need to see them. I’m not against a well done nc scene, but I would prefer none over many and none over the absence of a proper plot.

If there are nc scenes, I’d say for most shows, 1~2 is plenty - if done effectively to work with, rather than against the plot.

I have this conundrum with some of the friends I watch together with. Kei X Yaku is sometimes considered a bromance (in spite of clearly stated relationship), and my friends saw apparently no chemistry. Sure, they don’t kiss (as I recall), but domestic daily life things together paired with the acting did more than enough in my eyes. However, the show had a serious plot going for it and so it really did not make sense to throw in an nc scene or a kiss scene amidst the literal gunfight levels of action.

I am so with you about Mame. Also usually suffers from promising one thing (like a fun and different dynamic in Love in the Air) only to deliver it for a maximum of 2 episodes and then get on to the truly Mame shenanigans I am neither interested in nor signing up for.

Not interested in the main couple, is this worth it for the lesbians?

MDL has made it significantly harder to make contributions and edit things in recent years. I used to do some adding things when I noticed missing details, but found that they got significantly stricter about evidencing everything you say with official sources. Because of this I only really do translations and additions from Japanese film pages now.

I suspect that the greater number of hoops is to deter trolls and/or bots, which infest the site these days, but it is annoying when an edit can take so much longer because of trouble finding freely accessible official sources (especially for stuff in cinemas or not available on streaming).

The tone of editorials has changed so much from a few years ago. Used to only really be major noteworthy events and passionate blogs discussing dramas - which I very much enjoyed reading. Feels like there’s now several articles a day. Most of which aren’t particularly interesting, some of which don’t even say anything in particular, just quoting an actor in a roundabout way.

Sorry this is a bit long but the long and short of it is, I feel for you and doubt this page (like many others) will be fixed any time soon. Debatable if it should even be in MDL in the first place in my opinion, as it isn’t formatted like a show or special (see I Told Sunset About You filming documentary).

Most people seem to fall into either a dorama enjoying or kdrama enjoying category, regardless of what other regions they watch. Not many people watch equal amounts of both and those that do usually have their preference. Kdramas are generally far more popular for all sorts of reasons (mainly intent to export them and ease of access).

Personally, I lean heavily to enjoying doramas more than kdramas until it comes to noir and thriller, where I enjoy both pretty equally and struggle to find as many Japanese thrillers to watch. Meanwhile for Fantasy I tend to go to cdramas for wuxia and xianxia.

I do generally see lower ratings for doramas across the board though, unless they’re doing something exceptional and unique that catches attention.

Ouuu interesting to know! I loved those shows so I’ll definitely be looking into Yuma Bando, thank you!

You might like the soundtracks to the Mirror’s Edge games if you’re a big fan of this one - albeit thematically different, there is somehow a similar feel. The opening credits to Wakatte Itte Mo : The Shapes of Love is also something I’m reminded of.

Wouldn’t have a clue what to do about finding the composer since there haven’t been many motifs that would make a sound search recognise and pick up the tracks.

Unfortunately, I have only succeeded in finding a backing score for a smaller production once and that was for HISTory3: Trapped. I got lucky because the instrumental for a somg was used, although the song itself is very obscure.

All caught up and my initial thought which I didn’t type, but now will - the soundtrack is reminiscent of that Mirror’s Edge (and by extension Mirror’s Edge Catalyst), but if that were instead a romance.

I’m now really hoping that the scene that started out this whole show won’t happen, somehow.

I love how contemplative the soundtrack is. 2 seen so far and I like it.

Indeedy. Went from just a jumpscare to an ongoing horror experience. I just hope he doesn’t succeed in his evils as this character 😭

I couldn’t forget that face after the TRAUMA he caused in that show. Pretty face, terrifying character. I quite literally had a jumpscare reaction to seeing him here 🤣😭

Unfortunately I think you’re on the money with that one. It’s clear he already knows and doesn’t like their situation - and because Han Tuo wasn’t direct, he has the advantage of plausible deniability.

Plus, don’t know if you’ve seen HIStory4: Close to You, but the actor played one of the most heinous main roles I’ve seen in Taiwanese BL, so honestly once I realised he isn’t a cameo here I got suspicious.

If this is as you’re describing, sounds like a breath of fresh air. (Currently debating starting this one since I would like a more deep and mature drama right now)

From someone who is very picky about Thai shows but liked KinnPorsche and Spare Me Your Mercy, is this one worth the watch? 4minutes had potential but didn’t reach the heights I had hoped storytelling wise. I very much like Apo and Mile, but am looking for some depth to the show.

I’m sorry but what is it with this new format I’m seeing much more of? Under 10-minute episodes and lots of them? It seems like catering to those who lack attention spans due to social media to me. I would have been interested but don’t like the format so I don’t think I’ll watch.

10 minute episodes can get a maybe or a pass depending upon scale of production etc., but 2~3? Sorry, not for me.

Since when has this been a thing? Why give 4minutes a sequel??

Your mention of natural faces here is something I actually often find is most charming about Taiwanese dramas in particular, although to some extent it applies to Japanese ans Thai dramas too. Of all the regions on this site, Taiwan is the one where, BL or otherwise, I have seen the widest variety of leading actors with varied natural facial features that don’t exactly all seem to revolve around a uniform beauty standard.

There is in some ways nothing I love more than seeing people with their natural ‘imperfections’, although that word doesn’t do them justice. It can in a strange way make a drama feel more alive, rather than looking at a cast of doll-like faces who share certain similarities. Don’t get me wrong, I can also enjoy eye-candy, but I like that Taiwan is unafraid of variety and more natural (normal?) faces.