Daring To Dream

I'm watching it now in U.S.- maybe it is geo restricted?

although that is a tough comparison- nanon and ohm both very good- so that was crazy good chemistry

You are not alone!

I gave it a 2.5- finally made it through- I highly recommend this for insomniacs- whenever I really couldn't fall asleep- I'd turn this on---- magical:)

the BL community is indeed problematic- then again look at the people who put trackers on cars and break into their idols apartments and heaven forbid an idol date anyone.....
The last ep was disjointed but still sweet as heck- I do wish they had showed the mutual confession effect a bit more during the last lunch together- kiss not needed but some awkward touching and smiles- sitting closer together than when they were just friends....oh well.

I gave the same overall rating 8. I really like the two leads acting- the part of Taichi is particularly challenging and I thought the actor did great. The pacing and emphasis of script was less than stellar- and you are right- no matter how Maya was in the manga- she came across as the usual simplistic girl meddling in true love for first 9 episodes. Then the script spent all of ep 11 on Maya backstory! Why? Spread it out and make her more nuanced throughout. The actress did better when the writing was more interesting in ep 10-12.
I also felt there was a missed opportunity to convey the leads clumsy affection during the last lunch show- a kiss might be two early- but they were sitting apart like good friends. There needs to be some awkward pats and nudges--- something.
Still enjoyed this quite a bit. I also really enjoyed Taichi and his grandfathers interactions.

Nice analysis- I think the concept is great- wondering if the book has more of that elusive magic. There is still enough here for me to muddle on through.

He felt so natural- great performance

I've also watched Part 1 3 times- but 2nd and 3rd I skipped bully Pete scenes and Kla/No and Tum/Tar- I doubt Mame is going to learn or reconsider as she has many sales and series sold.

youtube channel for me

I gave it a 7- like the potential , the ambition and the inclusion of Naga. I gave the acting rating much lower than you as well- I feel Billy was pretty good- Babe was stiff but is fairly new. The main villian was not great. One of grandmas killed it in UWMA so having to blame script/direction there. This is the first Idol factory series I made it through- so I feel they are improving and yes first ep was kick-ass.

this is done a lot in non BL manga /series as well- a love so beautiful, mischievious kiss, on and on- lots of manga artists can really draw well- but plot and character might not be so great

Why does GMMTV insist on remaking the best of the best?
Cherry Magic and My Love Mix are tough to fit in with their factory settings- churn out longs stares, product placement and bright color saturation

F4 was fairly good. They even messed up ID Gangham- which had a lot of room for improvement.

Maybe try: Senpai this can't be love or Mr Sahara and Toki Kun?

thin plot swimming in circles- says it pretty well:)
I was impressed by the actor who gave an endearingly odd performance as Shirasaki- he was completely different in Ao Haru Ride. The other lead was playing the "cool remote" Japanese prototype in an almost catatonic way- I wanted more charisma, emotion etc.
I loved the first and last episode- though the BTS thing in last ep was strange and a bit flat.

Just watched the Hello Stranger movie yesterday- this review is the closest to what I felt- though one more thing- the two leads are very good- but I do think they cried about 70 percent more than necessary- more joy few tears- this is a rom com right?

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plot points discussed below:

The story the story the story- so cliched and disappointing- what college workshop draws rooms randomly? Puhhhlease.

the bad door locking people in together? lazy

also felt the friends comradery- the strong point of the original series- was lost as we focused on the gay hot celebrity writer causing Jealousy.

But the 3 leads did well and the ocean setting was gorgeous and the final scene was lovely.

thanks for the review:)

gagaOOlala has whole thing as movie split into chapters. Worth $7 for month membership with some other stuff to add in

gagaoolala has whole thing as movie split into chapters. Worth $7 for month membership with some other stuff to add in

I finally finished this one- some good things you mentioned-
some nice tension and mystery at times, (my fave was the shaman lady who led rituals - how much did she know about the shadow?
Fiat came off the best of the star actors- others appeared lost at times- as did the script and direc tion- very unfocused but ambitious. I gave it the same score 7/10 as I did Not Me.

Weakest spots for me: Brother Anurak had a great role- the actor often appeared stiff or unconvincing.
The girl love interest for Josh and maybe Dan?- she was rather woodenly reciting her lines.
Also the teacher having an affair with the student and the bully/student- weak acting and spent a ton of time on their rather uninteresting tale.


Strongest points besides Fiat and opening credits were the ideas and potential- doing Hamlet as a real life ghost is lurking is a great idea.
Some of the shots out and around the lake were spooky and beautiful

I loved her in ExtraOrdinary you when she was playing a manga character who slowly becomes aware- here she did same style- and it felt over the top at times- vs more natural style of ML and 2nd ML.

Some other positives: Just started watching this a 2nd time so it is on my mind:)

1 Casting director/acting coach/direction: this is such wonderful , natural acting from pretty much everyone. Even the one note villians act well- they are just stuck with cliche plot/characters. Big kudos to the two leads, also to the actress playing the bar owner.

2 The music- I just love the vibe/tunes/vocals from the band Wetter- which is featured prominently in the series.

The icks- in addition to the boring villians you mentioned (Jae Wons ex GF and "best friend")- and the ridiculous "plot twist":
Spoilers below..
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1 there is a scene where one lead suddenly treats the other like garbage without explanation in order to "protect" that person. I've seen this tactic in a number of series- but never in real life.
2 after showing therapy as a mostly positive with a therapist that appears competent- suddenly toward the end of the series she complains that the patient is not showing up often enough and that is costing her money----- no no no- don't do that!