J-atty

So Worth It

I am guilty as charged. I do complain A LOT about very short credit earned series. It's tedious. Watching so many ads to view about 15 min worth of a story. But...... this one was worth it. A simple story of bonding over basketball and a dislike for summer. Yet, this had me smiling more times than I thought I would. There were no crappy cringe scenes or unnecessary miscommunications that weren't solved as soon as it began. Thankfully not vertical.

The ml smiles automatically brightened the viewing experience and lifted the tone to not make it seem more dreary than intended. Light, introspective and concise. It's one of the good to better ones. Think Match Play. The overall vibe would leave the viewer enjoying every moment. If you don't want to spend funds to view, it will take about seven days to complete but so worth it.

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Love, know thyself....

What stood out the most was the complete acceptance by and of everyone. A newly formed group, allowed everyone their freedom to be themselves and proved their loyalty by the protection of each other. Especially Watarai with Hioki . Watarai was drawn to him and very gently he inserted him within the group and himself into Hioki's life.

Their moments:
Watarai drew the curtain shielding this gentle bud from the harsh sunlight (everyone's gaze), he held on.
Hioki, eyes closed, resting sofly with the comforting embrace at the beach, he felt safe.
Watarai, speaks his love, he quietly waits.
Hioki's shocking recognition within, blurting out his true feelings, he shared his love. Hioki's awakening is beautiful. Hioki is bold in his innocence and it shows how much he is intune with himself. He doesn't run away, he walks forward in truth always.

I love how Hioki's character is written. He questions but continues believing, growing more sure of himself in every moment. He's unafraid of Watarai's feelings for him. It's new but not unwelcomed. He also did not forget his previous friends for the new ones.

Watarai, also, is a fresh breath. His unashamed adoration opens them up to speculation which he does not deny. He knows with all certainty, Hioki is his love. He doesn't seek his friends acceptance but grateful for it.

What I would have preferred not to be included, the petty jealousy of the female student. Again, not every adversary is a cliche. Given the ages of the students, it's given a pass. The story and direction were good as it gave time to develop the characters. This was cute and so was Hioki. The cast did well and were enjoyable. Yes, I will rewatch.

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Variety is the spice of life

This was an enjoyable ensemble showcasing the varied talents of numerous artists, various plots with just enough variance to capture the wide range of the viewing audience. Some were liked more than others and with good reason. The main theme remained the same Kiss Kiss Sex.

Ep 1 - Raise Me
This was a nice introduction. Nothing shocking but a cute beginning for us and them. This was the sit down and relax piece for us to get comfortable. Here the characters fell in love over the care of one plant. It was nice. 7

Ep 2 - Folding? You!
Then it jumped to this. The most juvenile of all would see a fanatical origami artist be enticed by his only fan. It was irritating to hear the artist's constant chatter but his fan found a way around it and into his heart. 5

Ep 3 - Sweet Mischief
I don't like blackmail even tho this was used to encourage the budding feelings of the blackmailer for his prey. He was cute and funny whilst creating scenarios for them to meet and for the latter to loosen up and hopefully learn to like him. It worked. 6

Ep 4 - Sleep Around, Still Mine
What happens when Mr Casual catches feelings for Mr Clingy? He tries to keep it without any strings attached due to a previous intense relationship but realizes who really matters now. It was a nugget of raw emotions. 6.5

Ep 5 - Craving You
I liked this one even with it's clichés. The manager restraining his feelings for the success of his artist under his control. Said artist craves him with all his emotional baggage. What's not to like? 7

Ep 6 - Not A BL
A club where fantasies are fulfilled. The line blurs between acting and being a host. This was different but seemed a bit over dramatic in delivery. Music was all over the place. 4.5

Ep 7 - Something Sweet
The amateur scenarios didnt quite fit and when coupled with their performances, it was not an easy watch. Tried to be funny cute. Failed. 3.5

Ep 8 - A Killer Recipe
Saved the best for last. This was the best execution of all the stories. The history between them would help propel the story and raise expectations. The acting was above all and though it was rushed to complete the story, inserting the diary, helped the time jump to the resolution. 7.5

Final concensus:
For the most part, the stories were interesting. The weaknesses lay in the performances but as a whole was enjoyable. Don't go in with high expectations but take it as a little escape for 20 min per story to unwind after a long day.

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Best Side of Beautiful

The best from Thailand and BeOnCloud. Without a doubt there has never been anything of this calibre and I applaud everyone involved in this production. Shine lived up to the expectation and it's name. Apo, Mile, Euro, Son, JJay, Nok, Kob and Por. Every actor embodied their character fully and made beautiful art. Every week was viewed with a bitter sweet feeling as I knew the culmination would bring a pain that couldn't be escaped. What was won would never overshadow the magnitude of what was lost.

Shine started with Trin arriving in Thailand after a tragic event, hoping to find himself. There he would meet two people who would have a profound and everlasting effect on his life. Tanwah and Victor. Polar opposites vying for his attention. Tanwah offered freedom from the claustrophobic environment he barely breathed in and Victor, passionate conviction in his beliefs. Freedom won but at a cost no one was ready or willing to pay. Causes and effects burst forth shattering dreams and lives along the way. The sobering reality of life would eventually play out.

We now have Krailert and Naran both fighting on opposing ends for the same goal. To shine light on the corruption and the figures pulling the strings. Krailert given the option to marry Dhevi or die as his lover did, chooses to live. I will still not call it a marriage as there really wasn't another option. But in living he stumbled upon Naran, his intellectual equal who proved to be a worthy adversary in and out of the library room. Their fire would burn bright but too bright for them to hold onto. Power plays behind the scenes, long put in action would see them reluctantly go their separate ways. One would be silenced and neutered for the other to be free. Dhevi played her hand well. Optimistically I hope that an end will come. One can only deny onself before ultimately seeking what one desires. Here I will add, Dhevi was not worthy of anyone's love, let alone Veera's. Veera's death was painfully in vain in more ways than one.

Moira, a power player in her own right, held secrets both open and privately. She watched from afar, and only released what needed to be known when it was best suited. A true survivalist. One to be admired. She mingled freely with all the power players with none having a hold on her.

Sucha, possibly an eternal pot head, would deliver wisdom in periodic spurts which impacted those around him and added to the bits of humor that would liven a mood when it became too deep. JJay, did well here.

I intentionally went not in depth with every titbit or the specifics of Shine. My hope is that after reading, someone would be interested to view this beautiful piece of work on their own and reflect on the choices made by each character. Whether right or wrong, they embodied the best and worst of humanity.

Shine, I think I love you

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Fighting is okay

It's just okay. The plot was fanciful. The actors were competent. Grandma was a surprise but somehow expected given how everything was going. Personally, I would have preferred the cop with the criminal but the other option wasn't bad either. Possibly the cop and criminal love story might have been a better watch. The mls in the last episode were way too sweet and by this time, I was rushing for the end.

The production was okay. The script somewhere between 'are they for real and yup it is what it is'. Don't go in thinking high drama, tension and realism. Keep your expectations at slight rom-com sprinkled with a decent dose of fantasy. With that mix, you will not be disappointed.

It was not a bad watch, but it could have been better. I've said it before, Taiwan needs to step up. After a hard day and a gentle unwind is needed, go watch.

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Something's Not Right For Real

One of the perks of this series was that it wasn't a straight open and shut case of unrequited love. It played out far differently than expected and truly was a welcome change from the norm. Yes there was the burdensome pining of one for the other but with a twist. What if, both loved him back? Do Ba U, Ji Hun and Jung Ha Min. Yes, one too many. Over 8 episodes, we were pulled to the depths of despair, confusion, resignation and euphoria. Good stuff.

Do Ba U was in love with Ji Hun and Jung Ha Min fell in love with Do Ba U. All of this would hinge on Do Ba U. By the 6th episode I was ready to slap Do Ba U and banish Jung Ha Min to the furthest region I could find. He didn't deserve hell but close enough. What right does the interloper think he has to dare speak to Jung Ha Min and outrageously speaks commands as if they were to be obeyed. Do Ba U, unable to tell Ji Hun of his love, unilaterally decides, to end their long bff friendship. Ji Hun, confused, struggles to understand and follows him around to get to the bottom of it. Gradually, he contacts him less and less and Jung Ha Min fills in more and more. There is an ease between them as the contents of a diary encourage more interactions. Over the course of their meeting, he has fallen for the soft words he as read in the diary and adapted it to his comic book project. He also develops feelings for him. The can discuss any and everything and they do. The viewer feels the shift as it happens. The outsider is left unknowing and his pain and confusion is palpable.

This was smartly written, a bit depressing but enjoyable. Do Ba U's feelings were strongly conveyed through his eyes. Truth be told, Ji Hun was the cutest lost bunny throughout. He was bewildered by Do Ba U's request but remained as faithful as anyone can be. He felt like he was losing part of his soul as they had been friends for most of his life. These actors did well. The slow burn gl couple were also a joy to watch.

My only peeve, Ji Hun was left to be in pain for far too long. A friend would not treat a friend like this. At least, Do Ba U, no matter how conflicted he was, he should have had a believable excuse. The ending is as it should be and to answer the previous question: What if, both loved him back? Go watch.

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Worth the watch but....

Sukfilm has struck gold with their actors. They deliver in every performance from Blue Boys/Bad Guy/Seoul Blues. If you are a looking for short piece to relax after a long day, go for it. Usually between 8.5 - 11 min per episode. It's on a very low budget but the scenes are shot in a way that it's not a hindrance but an asset. They make the viewers feel a part of the conversation as it's very intimate.

While the storyline is very formulative, it can be thought provoking at times. Should they or shouldn't they? As with this series, should Dae Yeoung not have cheated on Jeong Ha? Should Dae Yeoung have easily walked away from Do Jin? Was Min Ji a pawn? Was Jeong Ha the catalyst for the series of events? Should Jeong Ha have forgiven him?

Let me explain:
Dae Yeoung cheated because he wanted some sort of closure and answer for his disappearance. He was still hurt and having been with Do Jin for a long period, he had lingering feelings for him. He previously thought this was the person for him so it will be hard to let go. You can love 2 people at the same time. Do Jin was selfish, greedy and a great manipulator. He set out to destroy Dae Yeoung's relationship to get him back.

Min Ji was used but she put herself in that position. She saw from the beginning how close Dae Yeoung and Jeong Ha were, even hinting at it. Yet, she chose to reach for something that was out of her grasp. By asking one to be in a relationship, wouldn't she have eventually broken their bond? Dae Yeoung knew and should have done better.

Had Jeong Ha been honest with himself from the beginning, the events would have been different. Their friendships would have changed but Min Ji would have respected it. Had Jeong Ha not let his ego be stroked by Do Jin and listened to Dae Yeoung, he would have saved himself a world of hurt. Reflecting on the part Dae Yeoung played in his life and his own failings, he chose to forgive.

I like how more complex the characters are becoming. No easy answers. The script writer on the other hand needs help. It's becoming too obvious what the next words would be and nothing new is learnt. Women can be supporters and not only antagonist or manipulative. Cheating is always a dividing subject but not the only one. Social disparities, abuse, mental health, etc There are other stories to be told.

Overall it was a nice series. The actors chemistry is there with better storylines, it can grow.

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Good

Really liked this. Park Sung Woong delivered, as usual. His roles always add depth and range as an actor. Huh Joon Ho, incredibly believable. The action kept the story moving when it needed the little push. The ml friendship had chemistry that really clicked. I actually felt sad when the inevitable happened along the way. Their naïve honesty against the corruption, unbelievable but very cute and interesting to see. I didn't expect the humor to land as much as it did. Sad that Sae Ron didn't stick around. She was very good here.

I would definitely recommend this to be watched.

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Society or Cowardice?

The selfishness of one destroys the life of two. The reason behind their pain is a cowardly excuse as it doesn't hold up at the end. Azusa worked hard to fit in and worked even harder to hurt Yusuke more after they broke up by asking him to take his wedding photos, love someone else and to add not him. Yet, clearly he did this to still see him. Turning the knife slowly and deeper with every word.

I was left angry not with the decision to get married but by including Yusuke like that and giving directives like it's an easy thing to pick up or put down at will. People will do what they choose to do but to tag someone along, especially knowing the pain he previously created, was cruel.

Kenya is a very good actor. In 30 minutes we experienced the binding pain of a refused and controlled love. Even his movements, his walking pace felt painful.

The director did a great job speaking without verbalizing much. The body movements, the still moments, the convo between them is very effective.

Definitely worth the watch.

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AE's Dilemma

Japanese productions stand out due to their unique style of delivery. They do not shy away from tackling different topics and their acting is of a higher standard. Their body language, speech and esthetics add to the quality of work. This series was no different. Though the story in itself lacked a certain punch to it, the production, scenery and acting delivered a polished piece.

Chiaki, blunt, awkward and singleminded, loved two things, fashion and AE. AE, cool exciting and handsome, seemed untouchable until he did come into reach. Chiaki felt seen and chosen. Then, he wasn't. Enaga, clumsy introverted and introspective, observed the effects he had on Chiaki. He got to see the real version of Chiaki. Chiaki had one rule. No lies. AE/Enaga's dilemma.

AE creates the avenues for freedom and self-expression without inhibitions. AE's character is very vivid. In both personas, he hesitates from hurting him. It is with Enaga that Chiaki can be himself. Instinctively, Chiaki separates reality with fantasy with the avoidance of the kiss. Chiaki's confusion and hurt due to the deception is completely understood. Both versions deceived him.

The ending was not as impactful as the previous episodes. As Chiaki said, he expected a better confession. So did I. The previous slight touches between felt very intimate. The last scene felt more like good friends than intended lovers. AE had lost a bit of his aura. I'm not a fan of a constant flow of voiced thoughts but theirs did not feel obtrusive. This is definitely worth the watch.

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Mystic Force Thai Style

What in the Mystic Force Power Rangers Khemjira style did I just watch. I would be lying if I said I wasn't entertained. I truly was but not in the way I should have been. The finale goes down in the books as one of the most unbelievable endings ever. Everyone who needed to die, did and even those who didn't. Oh well, Kor, them's the brakes as they say. They did you dirty.

One bonus that I appreciated was the unfamiliar fresh faces. Sometimes a palate cleanser is needed to appreciate the new. For the most part, the acting was okay to decent. Funny when it was supposed to be and even when it shouldn't. Like how many times is Maria supposed to be elegantly poised by a campsite, like she's on a safari and not a murderous rampage. Kor gets shot point blank range to his chest, has the energy to break someone's neck and then poetically dies. With or with out trackers, Dean keeps showing up at the right time to assist. Let's just say their mystic powers needed a hearty lunch, because those little puffs were not it. Lastly, what was Siwat? A reincarnated Naga or Sleeping Beauty? The kiss to awaken him caused a little snickering on my part. How many genres were they going to touch on?

I'm certainly not saying it's bad but you know the errors in script, pacing at times, and graphics could be better. Thara, I really felt it for you. Past, present and future present, Siwat is not for you. I actually loved that Siwat died taking down the bad guy. Like some atonement for the pain he caused, but to bring him back again, in the same environment for Thara to lose again, is some brutal work. I felt more chemistry between TharaSiwat than KhunSiwat. So they couldn't kill Kate and leave Kor? Or bring him back, too? Nope, that's asking for too much.

The story kept moving which was a huge plus, tied up all the ends and did entertain. So in a way it achieved it's purpose. I will like to see the actors again. I'd probably rewatch at some time just for the laughs. Overall, it was okay.

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Who knew.....

Who knew that Thailand can do a good sci-fi drama that can sit amongst the world's offerings with pride. Truthfully, I was pleasantly shocked. Veering away from Thailand's penchant for dragging a story with unnecessary fillers and histrionic character portrayals, this was concisely wrapped and delivered on the perfect platform, Netflix, the doorway to the world. DMD chose the best of their stable of actors, and despite some minor moments, they were credible.

One could imagine the daily drudge of Aunt Jit, going from job to job to enable a son with a gambling habit. Then diving into the portrayal of the zombie leader, rabid and ferocious, Jaa made it happen. It's sad to note that many older actors are given bit parts when clearly given the opportunity, they can bring life the the screen. Dr Viroj, the frustrated overworked science professor, locked between duty and love filled admirably by Weir. Boy, from Mandate, also come to mind.

As the story evolved, this progressed at a respectable pace, with no jarring splices. The carnage and chaos maximized by the accompanying musical score. Graphics, wardrobe, makeup depts were of the best. Every interraction that more believable because of it. The roles selected for each cast member were aptly chosen though it was evident that they delivered at different levels. Jimmy, Janis, Praew and Max stood a step above the rest. Praew became the cunning conscience and agent of change Prao. The cheerleaders and jocks, in their respective groups, filled in adequately with the spot of humor and arrogance needed to balance the tone. Who does a cheerleader chant with a building overun by zombies in an effort to save one? See, humor. Self preservation is innate unless the person you love represents the best part of you and worth saving. How to differentiate? Bonds are broken and betrayed with the fight to collectively stay alive.

I was saddened that they still linked Zee and Nunew as being close, hinted relationship here. I would have loved to see them go head to head and break away from the expectation. With the actual reveal, they're still linked. Hey, why jeopardize the cash cow, right?

The only issue I would take with the ending would be the time frame. A month later, the serums have been issued and there is hope. Are we to believe that the students, left as insignificant cast offs, have survived the entire time with no one else dying, making secret forays for food and the zombie population contained within the school and not venturing out for fresh victims. That is a stretch and a reason for a special episode to bring clarity. The bait left behind, which I believe Ning and Viroj have disappeared to retrieve, was brilliant.

This series depicted how well this genre can be produced when time, vision and dedication to the artform is encouraged and financed properly. DMD and Mandee, by extention Thailand, kudos. You did well.

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Takumi, that was trauma.

A 25 min 6 ep series ahould not have four couples with separate storylines to keep track of. Given that the main story was about Takumi, this was completed nicely. The progression was steady and the differences in his persona as he was freed from the internalized trauma were evident. That was some serious trauma. His behaviors were very understandable once the truth was made known. Before knowing, Gii's actions may have been seen as forceful but just what was needed to get through.

The other three couples, while there wasn't much to resolve, it was very confusing to remember who's who, who wants to be with who and what were their issues that prevented them from being together. Takabayashi, the slapper, finally admits he likes Yoshizawa whom he previously was abusive to. Arata, sleeps with Kanemitsu, quickly reverts to pretend coldness to keep up the facade. Though this is one of the traits that Kanemitsu seems to like. It was refreshing to see Shozo stay true to himself while rebuffing Shun's declaration and maintaining a relaxed friendship at the end.

It didn't help that the majority of the supporting cast had generic features. I would have liked to see either more episodes to have a better flow as the other relationships were interjected with no warning and just as abruptly, shifted to another. The viewer has to mentally pause to remember which storyline is currently shown. The slapper's aggression took awhile to understand the root. I will say, there was no fault with the acting. Just, keep a notepad on hand to note who's who, what's what and where it's going. One confusing ride.

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Gotta Love That Ghost

It's so short you can watch all in 20 min, tops. The acting is bad bad not just bad but not the worst ever. The script is so bad you don't where it's gonna take you because random things just occur. Random even for a ghost story.

The guy is sleeping and the ghost decides to sexually take advantage of him. What started as assault soon turned into happy moment for both. The guy wakes up and fully complies. No resistance. No questions. Just total compliance. More like, "So we're doing this now, ok." When they meet again, he asks if this will be a nightly ritual. Fun times. I should have prefaced this by saying, the new tenant told the ghost on meeting him that he's not afraid of ghosts. Still.

The ending I think made up for everything else. It was nice. Finally, it felt like some sort of decent acting was happening and the slightly expected twist was the best part. I will say that they do look comfortable together. The interraction playful and warm, as friends would be.

Would I recommend to watch, it's midling to okay. It's 20ish minutes. Do it during your lunch break. 😁

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