DramaAjumma

My first impressions write-up of the show. Only spoilers from first couple of episodes. Very impressed so far with the plotting.
https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/legend-of-zang-hai-2025-first-impressions

I feel like I should stop at Episode 21 when everything's fine and dandy with loads of kissing. Heh. I can tell that things will go south pretty soon because she still hasn't told him about her trauma. Things are bound to go pear-shaped since this is a C drama. 😛

I loved him in You Are My Hero and Reset. But You Are My Hero especially -- watched that series three times.

I am surprised to hear negative comments about Bai Jingting because as far as I'm concerned he's the main reason I'm still watching the drama. He is such a great actor and a good fit for the role.

I am impressed with this show from the script level to the performances. Maybe it's because I don't watch as many K dramas these days as I used to but I don't remember the last time I watched a K drama that's this detail-oriented since Hospital Playlist, perhaps. It won't be for everyone considering the nature of the beast but it still manages to be nail-biting and heartwarming in places. I also enjoy how it plays with detective elements (similarly to The Auditors) while dealing with corporate protocols. I personally thought Lee Je-hoon was terrific here. The vibe shifts that he exuded were fascinating to watch. Depending on who he was talking to and when he was talking to them, his eye acting was masterful. He was certainly reticent but he did a lot of talking with his eyes. 😄

My kind-of review of Filter:
https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/filter-2025-a-look-at-perception

I can only imagine the amount of research and thought that went into writing the scripts for this series. It's good stuff although I can't always keep up with all the industry jargon.

Occasionally, this gives me a Chuck vibe. When it's funny, it's very funny.

Yes. But it does move slowly.

Who would have thought Yang Xian has the best growth arc in the show? But a job well done by the actor and the writer. That said the pacing of the final arc is all over the shop. So many characters. I feel like the show could have done with more episodes fill in the gaps. In general I think the men are more interesting or better written than the women. But as I've noted before I think the show is really about the men and how marriage is a mechanism of maturing them.

Still, I had a great time with this one. It was a lot of fun. I love the scene at the end with Mrs Li surrounded by family. It reminded me of my childhood. A really heartwarming way to close off which had me grinning from ear to ear.
I will write a proper analysis when I get the time.

Arrgh... Don't tempt me. I did feel the urge. But only momentarily.

Episode 30 was a blast. I need a spin-off of the brothers-in-law alliance. I'm now wishing there are 12 sisters. That entire initiation of Yang Xian into the Li family had me in stitches. Certainly one of my favourite sequences in the series. Possibly my favourite even. Pulling down the shades. Circling their prey, intimidating him and then giving him a good thrashing. Heh. Frankly I think this is what he needs. Good o'l down to earth family treatment. Big brothers to keep him in line and put him in his place. Afterall he grew up with sisters and has been over-indulged by his parents. And the meal table stuff is chef's kiss. His apprenticeship as a newly minted husband has only just begun.

I had thoughts and wrote an essay...
https://40somethingahjumma.substack.com/p/perfect-match-2025-so-far

Does it? I use it as a descriptive term rather than a derogatory one.
I don't mind a good, well-written soap opera.

I wasn't sure at first but I'm now having a blast. I'm enjoying all the arcs. It's soap opera meets Jane Austen and need to be seen in that light.

The Netflix subs aren't the best I have to say. Quite a few mistranslations.

Yes. I've seen it several times. I think there are at least 4 seasons of it. The first two are pretty good. But it's very much about building a team and leadership.

It's very similar in tone and approach to the J medical dramas I used to watch a decade or so ago. Like Team Medical Dragon for instance.

I love Li Han's arc. Made me cry a bit. I come from a long line of hoarders, my father made it into an art form. All my relative who survived the second world war were absolutely frugal to a fault. I turned into one even from a young age. These days I try to donate my stuff to second-hand shops. The need to have things around me has never really left me.

Excited that the artist as psychologist has returned. Bawled my eyes out during Episodes 4 for the kids. Love the attention to detail and the continued use of art to connect with the victims and perpetrators.
Surprised at the negativity surrounding this. Compared to 90% of C dramas I've watched this year, this is a masterpiece.