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Enjoyed the thematic and the bromance, less convinced by the romantic side of the relationship
I enjoyed the story for what it was: a sweet and platonic (b)romance between a city student emotionally wounded and a joyful and simple farmer. I found interesting the fact that farmer was younger than the city guy because that allowed the development of a refreshing hyung-dongsaeng relationship where the older man has a lot to learn from the younger one (in terms of farming work but also on life outlook).Unfortunately, I was less convinced by the last third of the series. For me the romance never really picked up the pace: it remained quite at a more friendship level than at a romantic one. I had trouble believing in the chemistry between the actors. I honestly appreciated a lot the performance of Do Won as the city boy: he is to be fair super good-looking and I found him pretty charismatic in his role. However, I did not appreciate as much Yoon Do Jin, acting as the farmer: he played well enough the simple-minded guy but I had trouble enjoying his scenes when he starts acknowledging his feelings. He acted in a much too young / boyish / "simp" way making it not really possible for me to see how the character could move from a dongsaeng figure to a potential love interest.
The production was rather nice with some pretty and cute scenes in the countryside. I appreciated also the soundtrack of the drama: a few pop songs balancing well with the show.
I would recommend this to people looking for a cute and rather platonic BL story in the countryside with little angst. It has a likeable pairing which for me lack a bit of chemistry and passion, but it is still a very sweet watch.
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Not a lot to say so far but I want to watch this BL series for sure!
This special drama consists only in 1 episode of 15 minutes and is clearly the prologue of the BL series "Stay Still" . I am not really sure why this episode is separated from the main show because it is the introduction of the story and shows how the two main leads met each other. So it makes little sense to have it separated as a "special" episode.There is not a lot to the plot so far but it made me want to watch the full drama for sure. It is my first Hong-Kong production so I do not have a lot of comparable points. The series has an "indie" feel to it which I found pretty interesting, it seems like a slice-of-life series with dark/dramatic undertones.
The actors introduced here are good-looking but there was little to see at this stage. I'm really curious nevertheless to see how this is going to play out.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a BL story set in Hong-Kong. So far, nothing has happened but I enjoyed the atmosphere of the episode and it successfully managed to make me curious of what's going to happen next.
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Entertaining action sci-fi movie, not surprising and flawed but does the job
This movie takes place in a dystopic world as we follow a crew of misfits working as "space sweepers", therefore literally cleaning junk floating dangerously around various orbit stations. The story in itself is not that innovative for the sci-fi and action genre, the peaks and valleys of the script are quite similar to what's already been done but I still found it quite compelling even if not surprising.I have two main complains regarding the scenario. One being that I found the nanobot technology used too much as a magical tool able to fix a lot of things but not supported by a lot of well constructed storytelling. The way it is used seems rather random and only there to move the plot along than really making a lot of sense. The other flaw being the writing regarding the antagonist who is totally written as a cartoonish villain with very surfaced-level motivations rather than some nuanced character that could bring some deepness to the film.
Regarding the cast, they are some ups and downs as well. I liked a lot the main cast playing the space sweepers team (especially Tiger Park and Buds) as well as "Dorothy". Other than that, I have more mixed feelings regarding the performance of the actors playing the secondary characters (in particular the foreigners). It was mostly average: for some, I even noticed that the language in which they were playing was not their native one (but the script was implying it was), so it gave a really strange vibe to the dialogs which sounded unnatural.
The production value was pretty high: I found the spaceships scenes really nice looking and the visual effects regarding the robots and the technology looked really good overall. The soundtrack was alright but did not make a lasting impression on me.
I would recommend this movie to people looking for an entertaining sci-fi movie. If you enjoy shows like "The Mandalorian" or movies like "Star Wars" or "The Guardians of the galaxy", you might like it (even though you will for sure not be surprised by anything if you have seen / read a lot of similar stuff).
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My School President: Super Special Episode
2 people found this review helpful
Cute 15 minutes ad for a laundry liquid, totally dispensable
This special episode is in fact a 15 minutes ad for a laundry liquid by the two main characters of "My School President".The actors are still super sweet and cute together, but unfortunately I was a tad disappointed by the central plot element. It did not ring true to the personality of both characters in the context of the main story of the drama from which this special episode derivates from. In a nutshell, the plot did not make sense given the relationship between the two main lead at this specific stage of the story.
It is still a fun and cute watch, with some WTF moments that made me smile as the characters were singing and dancing around the laundry machine XD.
I would not recommend this to people, you can skip it as it will not bring anything in terms of story concerning the original drama. Anyway it is short and cute, so you might give it a go if you particularly enjoy this pairing.
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Simple BL story quite wholesome, in a classic way - looking forward season 2 !
The drama is quite classic in its form and content: it is a BL story in a college setting, with a rivals-to-lovers trope. It could have been quite mundane due to its very typical concept but it managed to keep my attention all the way.I really enjoyed the pairing of the two main actors. They are handsome and had a good chemistry together. Acting-wise, it was not perfect (with a bit of over-acting) but they managed successfully to transmit emotions in the more painful scenes. I found them believable, even though the relationship progressed quite suddenly (which was expected given the length of the show). I was less convinced by some of the monolog scenes, they were a bit too explanatory. Once again, it was a case of "telling" rather than "showing" the feelings of the characters.
The soundtrack was not memorable but still quite nice with some lovely romantic and sorrowful ballads as well as some classical music. The production value was standard for the genre, it is low budget but effective.
I would recommend this to people looking for a simple BL story quite wholesome, it is super short and bingeable. The tropes are classic but well executed, it will give you all the feels.
To be noted: There is a Special episode 6.5 to complete the Season 1 story as well as a "Special version" of the whole season 1. (=> So either watch the "regular" version of S1 + its Special episode 6.5; either you watch the "special" version of S1).
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Riveting thriller movie, quite disturbing: a "must-see" but an unlikely "rewatch"
I enjoyed the film, it was a riveting thriller to follow and I was surprised by some of its twists. The movie is set up in Japanese-occupied Korea, which provides an interesting background to the story but is unfortunately not that exploited. I must say that I preferred the first part of the movie to the rest which required quite a bit of suspension of disbelief given the overall context of the plot.The cast did a good job playing multiple-layered roles from various perspectives. Some of the characters were truly repulsive and I felt physically ill watching some of the scenes featuring the craziest sides of the antagonists. I would have appreciated a bit more nuances from some of the characters, but I'm convinced that the actors did exactly what was expected from them (especially in some of the over-the-top, oversexualized and violent scenes).
The soundtrack was enjoyable but it is foremost the overall production value which is praise-worthy. The majority of the story is set in an enclosed space: a very remote manor mixing strangely UK and Japanese building styles. The decors, costumes, accessories and directing choices worked great all-together in conferring to the movie an oppressing, dark and creepy atmosphere.
I would recommend this to people that love movies directed by acclaimed director Park Chan Wook or even enjoy thrillers in Victorian-era Britain (as the film is an adaptation of a novel set up in that time). If you have watch any works from Park Chan Wook, you know that there might be some triggering aspects...It is for sure the case here, so be mindful of that if you have any trigger.
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Could have been deeper and more thrilling, still entertaining with interesting concepts showcased
I am generally a sucker for that kind of sci-fi movie set (more or less) in our contemporary world but with futuristic elements making it quite different from our real life. The first part of the picture was quite a wild ride with some interesting conflict: it was a bit too melodramatic but worked quite well overall to set the stakes. In its second part, the story lost a bit its potential as it became too easy for the main lead. Due to the concept itself, there was a lack of suspense and thrills. The ending was good but would have benefited of more fleshed out relationship between some of the characters to be properly rewarding.The acting was ok overall. I quite enjoyed the performance of Yamazaki Kento who was the central figure and his interactions with the cat were super cute. I also liked Fujiki Naohito: his character was pretty interesting to follow. Unfortunately I found that the rest of the casting was a bit bland for some of the roles and a bit over-the-top for some others. I would have loved to be more transported by the main relationship and would have appreciated more nuances regarding the antagonists.
I found the filmmaking quite good, with a certain poetry for some of the scenes. The various inventions with their related sketches were nicely made and were a crucial addition to the fulfillment of the plot. The OST (with more specifically one key song for the characters) provided a lovely nostalgic vibe to the story.
I would recommend this to people looking for a sci-fi movie. I do not want to give too much away but if you like series like "Fringe" or books like "The Ice People" from Barjavel, you might give it a go (as it plays roughly with some of the same topics but in a more superficial way I would say). I wish it would have been deeper and more angsty but I still had a great time watching this film.
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BL office romance: platonic and cute, with a cohabitation trope and some amusing bickering
The story is quite simple but effective: the two main male leads find themselves forced to cohabitate and work together. Despite the short length of the drama, the script manage to make the viewer care about the characters and be invested in their relationship and professional successes. The plot is not really original but it is a compelling watch with some very cute moments.The main actors were pretty good. I found their acting totally believable and they had a good chemistry together. Maybe some of the more comedic scenes or dramatic ones were a bit overacted, but overall they did a good job conveying the feelings of their characters. The performance of the supporting cast was also quite solid even if the side characters were a bit caricatural and not super developed given the shortness of the series.
The soundtrack was really pleasant with some catchy songs even though quite forgettable. In terms of directing, I was happy that the director did not shy away from the couple of kisses, it remains rather chaste but it has the merit to exist and to be visibly showcased.
I would recommend this to people looking for a cute BL office romance. If you like cohabitation trope, bickering and secret relationship in an office setting, this one is for you!
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Such a fun and thrilling ride with an amazing cast!
This action movie is set in 1988, a period providing an undoubtedly interesting background story-wise with its dark political situation and at the same time its bright context with the start of the Seoul Olympics. The plot is quite simple and not that original but it is for sure really fun to follow. It starts fairly light with some humour and as the story progress, the tension and the stakes increase, providing a lot of captivating and thrilling moments.The casting is amazing with a lot of known faces. The alchemy between the leads is totally believable: the friendship and family spirit within this group of hot-heads is immediately obvious to the viewer. Despite the film not digging very far in the characters' past and links, the performance of the actors made it very easy for me to grow attached to this band of misfits and to root for them.
The film making and production value are really great. The fashion and style of this era, the details on the sets, everything is superb and totally immersive. The cars are fabulous and the movie has some truly beautifully made car chase sequences. The OST with its hip-pop vibes and old school South Korean songs is absolutely on point and such a nice throwback, completing the immersion.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a good action movie and/or that are searching for a story set in this crucial period of time for South Korea. If you enjoyed the context of Reply 1988 and if you like car chase scenes, this one is for you!
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Short, addictive and disturbing BL story
This drama showcases a disturbing BL story. It is not that graphic at all but somewhat dark and twisted, as it is centred around the romance between a bully and his "stalker". Their relationship is almost a master-servant one, with one of the guy being apparently ready to do anything for the other. There are also hints of S&M undertones as the most subservient of the character seem to be looking forward some of the abuse as a way to get closer to his classmate who fascinates him.It is a short drama (6 episodes of 20 minutes) but it is addictive: even though the pace can feel a bit languishing at time, it is clearly done with purpose. There are some quite dark intentional directing choices in parallel of some more poetic and quiet instants. However, one of the consequence of the shortness of the show is that it is difficult to have huge characters development as well as complex plotlines.
The cast does an OK job, and Hagiwara Riku (as the disturbed and bullied protagonist) is carrying the show. The alchemy between the main leads is primarily driven by the intensity of the script and the directing decisions taken.
I would recommend this to people looking for an addictive dark short BL story and who do not mind romanticised toxic relationship. Be aware that the show can be triggering and mind the tags.
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Enemies-to-lovers BL story! Very cute despite some nonsensical plotlines
A BL story providing a refreshing take on the well-known enemies-to-lovers trope. The drama manages to stay interesting during its 12 episodes but some storylines are less inspired than others. There are a few plot elements that are quite nonsensical in terms of conflicts making the show feel a bit too soapy for some of its narrative arcs. The show remains however highly entertaining to follow.The pairing of the two leads is super cute with an exciting premise to their romance as both their families and their friends from university are at odds with each other. There are some thrilling moments (especially at the beginning) with some tension build up between the characters as the feelings become more prominent. Their relationship stays mostly platonic and focus more on cuteness than on spiciness but the alchemy is there between the actors for a winning recipe.
Except for the female characters (friend and sister) who are rather likeable, the secondary characters are frustrating (particularly the parents of both leads and some of their male friends) and behave at some points very immaturely. The acting job for those roles is acceptable but could have been better.
The overall directing of the show is quite generic, clearly the budget was not there and production value is rather low. What was overly present though is the product placement: I rarely saw so much of it within one series, it was all over the place and hyper obvious. It was totally "in your face" and I would have appreciated more subtlety.
I would recommend this to people looking for a fun and light BL romantic story with a nicely executed trope of enemies-to-lovers and who do not mind some childish plot elements.
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Intense and well-acted : I would love to follow those characters through a drama !
This thriller and horrific movie really gripped me. It follows a team of shaman and geoman who tackles paranormal issues, some necessiting exhumation of corpses as their customers are haunted by deceased family members. Far from taking an humoristic road, it is a very dark and frightening movie that really spooked me at times.Despite its long length, the film remained captivating all over its various narrative arcs. The build up was good and the conclusion was strong. I would have liked a bit more of background around the goal of the antagonist as well as more flashbacks because the past story was incredibly interesting. So I would have wanted even more of that, as well as regarding the origin story of the main characters who shared a very good chemistry together.
Indeed, acting was great : Choi Min Shik, Kim Go Eun, Yoo Hae Jin and Lee Do Hyun did an incredible job. I totally believe their characters were skilled in handling and facing obscure forces. The rituals scenes, the encounter with the paranormal phenomenons, the way the characters behaved in dire situation...It was skillfully acted !
Production value was very high as well : the visual effect really worked on me. There were not really any scare jump but the tension steadily climbed over the course of the story, as the horror gets more and more proeminent. The soundtrack was good overall, fitting for the dire atmosphere.
I would recommend this to people looking for a thrilling horrific movie featuring shaman, corpse and exhumation. The gore level is rather low but the angst is pretty high. There are a lot of talk around death and people do get hurt and dies. So be mindful of the trigger if you have any. It is a quite long and intense movie, that might necessitate some breather to get through it in one go.
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Loved the main relationship, not so much the over-the-top dramatic storylines & antagonists arc
Don't get me wrong, I quite enjoyed this BL thanks to the lovely main couple relationship. I loved their growth as individuals as well as the evolution of their bonds. That was definitely the most interesting and touching part of the series: they learnt from each other, one becoming less childish and supportive, the other one learning to open and accept help.Next to it, there were the secondary couple relationship (which I did find less believable and compelling) and foremost also over-dramatic company storylines involving even gangsters. All those over-the-top plot points were addressed quite clumsily in the script, especially towards the end where the antagonists storylines felt brushed off without very convincing closure.
Having said that, there are a lot of very charming scenes between the leads in the drama. The two main actors have a very good chemistry and were convincing in the more intimates moments.
Production was not extraordinary and felt a bit "soap"-like with some overbearing music that overlayed a bit too thick on the romantic scenes making them slightly cheesy. At the same time, it is what made the series pretty entertaining.
I would recommend this to people looking for a BL with interesting characters growth and great chemistry. It is a bit thin in terms of scenario but at the heart of it there is a romance that I found quite lovely.
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A good conclusion to the story with some predictability but impactful with its great cast
This is the second part (and conclusion) to the drama Death's Game in 4 episodes. I quite enjoyed the story, it took some very interesting turns with once again the incarnations being the main stars of the series. There was some predictability with the ending and I wish as a viewer to have been treated to a longer epilogue but there is a certain beauty in ending the series like that.The cast remains fabulous with some of the new incarnations shining through in various ways depending on their backstories. I particularly enjoyed the 8th and 9th reincarnations which were the most developed with the expected 12th reincarnation as well. Kim Ji Hoon really once again impressed me, so far I have seen him playing extreme characters and I'm curious to see him in other type of roles because he was crazily impactful here.
The production value is as stated in my review of Part 1 quite outstanding and I still enjoyed a lot the ending song for each episode (which was kinda the unique music of the series). I loved the titles of each episodes, super insightful and I found the gore and violence really well done with some truly horrific and frightening sequences.
I would recommend this to people that have seen Part 1 of course. It is a proper conclusion to the story, it does not aim for subtlety but is impactful. The performance of the cast (from both Part 1 and Part 2) makes it a very good watch even if there are some little things I wish would have been a bit more developed regarding the lore itself. As Part 1, be aware that this series is super violent and graphic, so you might want to check the tags if you have any trigger.
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Solid 2nd season of a series that wrecked me with its gut-wrenching youth drama in season 1 !
Even if the series does not reach the same level of incredible turmoil of emotions that "Weak Hero Class 1" made me live end of 2022, it is a relief to be able to say that "Weak Hero Class 2" is worth the hype (and the long wait) !Once again, the story is portraying strong friendships amidst school bullying and violence. Despite some overlapping thematic, the series is quite different from its first season. Indeed, the main character must handle traumatic event from its past, leading him to almost take a backseat in some situations letting the light shine much strongly on his entourage. It is not necessarily a default, but the "weak hero" trope is less exploited here than previously, as the hero is not as much an underdog as before.
In addition to the very different narrative arcs, this season feel also less indie: clearly Netflix budget is now there and very noticeable. There are some really beautiful and striking images, some impressive fighting sequences, very brutal. The reverse of the medal is that there is also less contemplative moments and that the production while feeling more refined, lost part of its gritty charm. The soundtrack remains one of the strongest point : the opening song but also and foremost every songs ending the episodes, with some impressive raps is worth a listen while the generic are going by.
What stays the same is that the acting is top-notch ! The ensemble cast does an excellent job : among them, Park Ji Hoon and Ryeo Un are outstanding. The first one has eyes that tell deep and sorrowful tales without saying a word ! The latter, who definitely bulked up for the part, delivers a really solid performance as well. He clearly took some inspiration from a character played by Choi Hyun Wook and it is an excellent choice given his role in the scenario.
I would recommend this to people that have seen the season one. It really provide a true closure with the hero undergoing an emotional inner journey. It is a story about growth in the middle of traumatic events. If you like baston manga, this is clearly a series for you !
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