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Riveting and a Breath of Fresh Air!
Kim Tae Ri has done is again. She keeps proving what an excellent actress she is and I am enjoying all her projects. Revenant is a gripping thriller-horror series that is a must watch in 2023 if for no other reason then for Kim Tae Ri's performance.The opening theme starts off with a strong and creepy vibe and the story is a slow build up of the suspense. However, the pacing is good as so much is happening in each episode. The ghostly visuals are really a unique take on horror in the form of shadows. So if you are faint of heart, this show is still enjoyable.
Folklore professor Haesang, Gu Sanyoung and officer Lee Hongsae work together to discover the identity and the mystery surrounding the evil spirit that has possessed Gu Sanyoung and is going on a murder spree. They are forced to try and solve the mystery through bits of information that Sanyoung's father left behind, along with other clues they slowly collect along the way starting with the 5 mysterious objects related to the evil spirit.
The story is captivating and the series has a high production value thus making is visually appealing. Most enjoyable was the chemistry between Hongsae and Sanyoung despite this not being a romance series as well as the final episode.
The final reveal of the spirit's story is done in the last 3 episodes. But with the evil spirit always aware of their actions, it's a race against time to get ahead.
With 12 episodes, this series is not difficult to binge. You'll enjoy every moment of it.
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A delightful watch!
I didn't expect to like it so much! Loved the use of time travel without a lot of the limitations of the time travel so it was quite enjoyable. The development of the story was great and felt natural as well. Some parts of the story were a bit slow and there could have been a bit more romance but overall, it was loads of fun to watch!The characters were great, leads had a lot of chemistry and worked well together. For a change they don't make women seem evil in this which was refreshing! The side characters are interesting and their story doesn't distract from the main characters' storyline so it was a good balance. It's nice to see positive characters and a few grey characters. Made it more natural.
A little bit on the predictable side and also there are asexual couples too but one character seems to highlight the importance of sex. It would have been nice to see the characters to have a conversation about their concerns with their partner.
The music is nice. Will be looking into the songs.
The show might be a 9 but because I was enjoying it a lot I bumped it to a 9.5. This is the kind of drama one needs to get you out of your drama slump!
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Heart Fluttering and Cute
The story is simple but done well! They got me hooked right from the first eoisode and it's revelation. I was so shocked and that itself kept me intrigued for several episodes as I stared at their faces while watching each new episode.Each episode brought something new and exciting and I loved the development between the main characters. I loved how they emoted and how differently they acted based on the situation and who they were with. There are several exciting moments and encounters between them.
My only disappointment lies in the final episode. It could have been so much more but it didn't live upto the mark of the other episodes which is why I only gave it a 9.5. Their kiss is also disappointing considering the build up.
The main OST is awesome! Very catchy!
The series is short and very easy to binge. Definitely worth watching!
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Queen Mantis and the Petulant Child
The story is about a woman serial killer called The Mantis who has been imprisoned for a while. Her son has grown up to be a cop. A new serial killer has emerged that seems to be imitating The Mantis so the police decide to collaborate with the original Mantis who demands her son be a part of the team.The show starts off great and Go Hyun Jung is briliant as Jeong I Shin aka The Mantis. Her son however is terribly irritating. He refuses to take into account what triggered his mother and this makes him come across as emotionally stunted and petulant. The reason for this is somewhat explained later but his character became somewhat off-putting to me even though he was smart as a detective. It is almost like a holier than thou attitude which is irritating.
The pacing of the drama was amazing but for some reason they really slowed down the story by episode 6. The ofher detectives think more than the case, it is important to investigate the ML who is also their team leader. That too when lives are on the line. They waste time is episode 7 as well. As if they were just trying to stretch the time. It makes the detectives extremely incompetent. The female detective has a useless backstory. TBH not only her character but also her acting was average or below average. A lot of this team's existence made no difference since the main minds working the case were The Mantis and her son. They just existed for manpower.
There was one other male character that made the show really entertaining but was discarded and it was quite disappointing for me, Talk about an unceremonious exit.
Episode 8 was decent but lack the impact a proper finale should have. It felt sluggish and devoid of energy that a proper thrilller should have. They also leave open the possibility of a second season. I hope they work on improving the team if we are going to see the same characters again in future.
They literally went from a 9 to a 7.5 in trying to stretch a show unnecessarily. The drama can still be considered entertaining for the most part. Additional point in case anyone is interested, the show has no romance.
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When you love a fool
The drama starts off slow with episode 1. My interest built up from episode 2. Everything was great until ep 7, I believe. Then things started going downhill for me. I understand that some stories are tragedies and I have enjoyed them too but forcefully turning a story into a tragedy didn't sit well with me. I just couldn't understand Xiao Shu He's behaviour. He was desperate to be a martyr and extremely selfish.Like many historical dramas, Kill To Love also has a power struggle plot. The problem was that Duan Zi Ang had learnt to fight for survival. But Xiao Shu He led a cushy life and failed to take charge and lead. I understand not everyone is capable of leading. But I don't understand his hate that lead to tragedy for everyone including himself. Why did he refuse an alliance? But later he acted as though he cared for his people. An alliance would have greatly benefitted the kingdom.
As for the romance, initially the chemistry was great but towards the end, everything was uncomfortable and almost intolerable to watch just because of Xiao Shu He.
In the whole story, the one I pity most is Duan Zi Ang. He suffered needlessly. There was also a certain medicine recipe that I wish had been used but they didn't. So the final scene was just not my cup of tea.
With every episode towards the end my mental rating kept dropping because I couldn't understand why this one person is behaving so obstinately. It ruined my overall experience. Actually there were 2 more stubborn side characters. It seems no one wanted positivity in their lives.
Nonetheless, for the most part, it was interesting even if I don't include the first and last 4 episodes. I disliked the ending because it felt like a fool's dream. The actors did a decent job on their part when it came to emoting. I found them quite stiff in episode 1 though to the point that I couldn't get into the story and nearly dropped it.
Personally, this isn't a drama I could rewatch.
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Missed Point
The title doesn't really make sense since the crown prince isn't missing for many episodes. It could have had a better name for one. The summary of the series was also quite misleading.Though I felt bad for the Queen and the FL's father but they were unnecessarily evil. The king, the crown prince and the rest of the people had nothing to do with their circumstances.
The fortune teller was another pointless character.
As a political historical drama, it was decent. The music was good but there wasn't much chemistry between the ML and FL. The series has very little on the romance front.
Acting is decent. Didn't really wow me since the characters didn't allow them to have much range. At first I enjoyed the strong FL but she later became a helpless character which was unfortunate.
I didn't dislike the show but it didn't impress me either.
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Good Attempt But Confusing
If you looking to watch Shadow because of the horror or BL element, then better skip this. It is neither. Might be slightly scary in the beginning but for the most part not at all. And this is coming from someone who avoids horror like the plague. It's strange because Thais are supposed to be amazing at horror.The mystery element of Shadow is good but the problem lies in never understanding and solving the mystery till the end. Mainly why the shadow is obsessed with Dan. There were quite a few things about the shadow's behaviour that didn't make sense. And some of it got very weird (sexual). Trin's character was also a confusing one in some moments.
The actors did a good job overall but the story could have been laid out better with at least the main answers. The ending was interesting which begs the question if we will get a follow up season to this. If yes, then I hope they tackle the doubts left in people's minds. Although I believe this show meant to end at a shocking note.
It's good for a one time watch. The OST at the end of each episode is nice. The VFX are also decent.
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Perfectly Sweet Revenge
Thoroughly enjoyable series. Maybe found one episode that was a bit weak but otherwise, it's a really fun ride. Didn't expect much when I started but I'm glad I picked it up!The FL is an exceptionally talented artist who was adopted into her family and always felt like an outcast. One day after being betrayed by her step-mother, she ends up in an accident, passing away and waking up 1 year in the past. She becomes determined to rewrite her mistakes and get revenge starting with cancelling her wedding. The background set in the first episode felt a bit tedious but has relevant information that the FL later uses to exact her revenge.
The ML is a welcome green flag and made the perfect partner in crime throughout the series.
All the actors did a great job, especially the negative characters that brought the necessary spice to the show.
The ending was so perfect. Almost like a fairytale. And yet I didn't see it coming. I loved the plot twists the show introduced and the theme song is catchy as heck!
Definitely recommend watching this series!
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Fun Prosecutor but the ending needed work
Bad Prosecutor was actually a welcome drama when everything else in the genre was so serious and tense. I quite enjoyed watching it and the jokes and the fight scenes. Although there is nothing unique about this drama except that it is a fun and exciting ride so it's a very easy watch.My only issue is with the ending. The 11th episode felt a bit like the writers were dragging their heels in order to do a quick finish and that annoyed me a bit. There were moments where I felt like the could have taken the bad guy down if they just talked less and took a few more precautions.
Park Jae Kyung was such a dull character. I can't believe he was a prosecutor.
There are some very predictable elements to the story. That's why I can't give this show a 10 star rating. For the most part, I loved it.
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Flawless and a surprise package
When thinking about how I should rate this show, I couldn't find a single fault and had to go with a 10.Definitely Not Today might seem like a depressing story or some kind of typical romance drama. It is neither. The way dark issues are tackled is a breath of fresh air!
Mi Chong is a young 29 year old male who has lost all of his family. Being alone in this world and trying to deal with grief has sunk him into depression. One day, as he is about to commit suicide by drowning, he sees a girl jump off a bridge into the same body of water. He gives up his plan to die in order to rescue her thus beginning their strange journey. Zhi Liao is an angry young woman who has surrounded herself with a dangerous gang of men which gets her in trouble. She inadvertently ends up having no where to go but to stick with her saviour, Mi Chong, for safety while maintaining her brash attitude unbeknownst to her that her presence is getting in the way of his plans of dying.
The way this show tackles dark topics like suicide, sexual assault and still manages to bring in light elements and comedic moments is invigorating. With just 20 mins, each episode wins your heart and surprises you. The pace of the show is good and there is never a dull moment. Every instant teaches you more about why these two characters are the way they are.
I also enjoyed the inner monologues and the little scribbly animations brought a cute element to the show. The OST is nice. The show has an indie vibe to it with muted tones.
With only 8 episodes, this series is worth a shot. You won't regret investing your time!
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Can't fault this show
If you are looking for a thriller drama that is a complete package then look no further than The Good Detective.This was a show that was recommended to me and it is rare that I like someone's else recommendation and it is also not often that I rate a show a 10. Every episode makes you want to keep going and watching what will happen next. Although a thriller, it also has mystery as well as a wonderful comedy element that will genuinely make you laugh. It also has unexpected twists which is rare to find if you are a fan of crime dramas. The show is fast paced which I love.
If you are wondering about romance, then there is a hint of it but no real romance as such since the story is very much focused on solving the crime and finding the real culprit. Any romance would have been out of place. However, you find a really nice brotherhood and male bonding as well as female bonding. The entire cast did a wonderful job and suited their roles perfectly with some grey characters in the mix.
Since season 2 is starting, I definitely recommend adding this to your watch list and binge watch it. I have high hopes season 2 will be equally engrossing and loved.
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Underrated masterpiece
The plot itself is so unique that I'm disappointed it doesn't generate more interest. Hong Ji Ah owns a real estate business of getting rid of ghosts haunting properties in order for owners to be be able to sell them. When her regular psychic, Hyung Shik, that she uses to trap the spirits gets injured, she looks to partner with another psychic. Oh In Beom is a con-artist pretending houses are haunted in order to "cleanse them" of evil spirits. Little does he know that he is in fact a powerful psychic.Though the plot deals with ghosts and can be a little scary, it is not proper horror. The visuals and graphics are incredible. The action sequences are truly enjoyable. The plot is fantastic with mystery into why the female lead is in this business to begin with. The chemistry of the main leads is incredible however there is no romance. But this should not dissuade anyone from watching this masterpiece especially if you love strong female lead characters.
Sell Your Haunted House is one of my most favourite kdramas.
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Completely Entertaining
This might be one of the best short cdramas I have watched this year. It is fast paced, with a smart and strong female lead who becomes fearless when backed into a corner. The male lead is endearing and goes from crazy psycho out for revenge to green flag! The female lead manages to win hearts through sheer audacity and a bit of lying.Whether you like the enemies to lovers trope or not, this is a great show to watch because it has great entertainment value. The couple have good chemistry and even with a few popular tropes, it feels fresh. There is also some great important commentary on women's struggles. It depicts respect for women through seeking consent as well as good discussion on pregnancy.
Since the episodes aren't very long, it is a great show to binge! I hope more people discover this gem.
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Incredible!
I didn't know what to expect with Moving since I hadn't read the webtoon but what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be! I can't believe it's already come to an end. Every episode offers so much detail to the plot.It is a well-rounded show with loads of action, special effects, sweet romance, heart-wrenching emotional moments and beautiful stories of parents and their children. There's also a sprinkling of humor here and there. In short, it has something for everyone. There is an excellent development of characters with their backstories including many of the negative ones. That was an especially nice touch that we don't commonly see.
The only drawback for me was sometimes I felt the story was moving a bit slow for my liking (pun not intended). And maybe some might find this to have a lot of gore. Some of the fights can be a bit brutal and hard to watch. But the way the individuals use their powers to their advantage really made the action sequences both shocking and entertaining.
All the stories come full circle in such a perfect way towards the end however it also leaves us with some shocking revelations.
The score and the OST was quite good.
There's a deeper political message that raises the question in minds of the audience - who's battle are we really fighting? I hope more people add this to their watchlist. It's worth it!
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Fluffy RomCom with Minimum Drama
King The Land is a wonderful romcom. It is light and funny with not too many ups and downs in the lives of the main leads. And perhaps that is it's biggest drawback. If you're looking for a pure romance story with lots of steamy kisses (leads only) and minimal drama otherwise, then this is probably perfect for you. The male lead is the epitome of a perfect rich boyfriend who loves and supports his girlfriend and also her friends. He gets along with her family. He's the perfect gentleman who will fight for her and be there even when she doesn't know she needs him. It's like the honeymoon phase of all romance stories with 0 conflicts between the leads.The flaws of the story, however, is that despite them introducing some interesting plot points, everything is pretty much subdued. Whether it's Gu Won (male lead)'s struggle to prove his value to his dad, him trying to get along with his older step-sister who wants him to have no say in the business, the mystery of why his mother disappeared, etc - none of it is that big a deal and is all resolved fairly easily or isn't given much time at all. It all comes secondary to the time between the couples. Because of that it feels a bit pointless at times to even have these things happen. And it's not just these that get quick and easy resolutions. Sarang (the female lead) has two friends who also happen to be working in the same hotel's King group - in the sales department and in the airlines. Oh Pyeonghwa is a stewardess and has a younger male colleague who likes her. I was quite invested in how things go for them but besides only getting few scenes and a bland kiss, we don't get much. The other friend also has an interesting story of a pathetic husband who has lost his job but does nothing except order his wife around. There are other work issues involving these friends. Though they had more drama and interesting scenarios, both friends get quick and easy resolutions with their problems and storylines. Makes you wonder why these two smart women were putting up with so much nonsense for so long.
King The Land also had a controversial character - an Arab guest portrayed by an Indian actor that drew a lot of criticism. Personally, I didn't find the portrayal as bad as some of the other viewers. I would have preferred they chose an Arab actor to portray the character who could have also given them some cultural insight that would have avoided any issues. But to really enjoy those episodes, you have to remember this is a rom-COM after all and some silliness is to be expected. I also don't blame people for their criticism considering how common it is to misrepresent or negatively represent Arabs and Muslims in dramas thus making viewers slightly more sensitive.
None of the above was really a cause for me to dislike the drama. I enjoyed it quite a bit, in fact, because of it's light nature and the comedic moments. But there is a recurring theme of toxic authority and forced respect throughout the show especially in the workplace. It's actually quite honest on how people in higher positions misuse their power and take advantage of those working under them. Where the show went "wrong" was when the best staff working at the hotel were shuttled off to the Gu family home and made to work as personal caterers for a month's worth of salary. Sarang went in blindly for this job without knowing what was required of her and when she tried to ask, she was shushed and reminded of the NDA she had signed. This scenario would otherwise be a hotbed for exploitation where it would be very easy to violate the rights of the employees. The whole aspect of this story was unnecessary. I wish more thought had been put on how this was presented. It was also a tacky rich man poor woman romance cliché where the poor woman has to wait on the rich man just to show the difference in their status. There also created a hurdle with this scenario that they simply forgot about. So I failed to see the point of it all.
Hope this review helps explain what you can expect with King The Land. Don't expect for any great revelations or any kind of rollercoaster or overcoming of great hurdles. The male and female lead are progressive and mature by nature and treat each other with respect. Though Sarang being constantly excited about everything is a bit too much at times. I would probably get sick of that first, if she was a real person. lol. But that's me. Otherwise all the actors did a good job. It's a fun drama. Maybe not the absolute best, in my opinion, but a good stress-buster. That's all we can really ask for.
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