JSainte

Soooo Pleasantly Surprised!!

So most of the dramas I watch are romcoms, and for this one, I let my co-worker choose from my "plan to watch" list as I have such a hard time deciding what to watch next. I was unsure for the first 1-2 episodes, but I find I feel like that with almost all dramas just because it's new at the time and I'm still not over whatever drama I just finished. lol

So for this review I actually made notes on this site as I watched it so I wouldn't forget things so some of this will be written as if I'm currently watching it. I'm going to make bullet points.

* So far the sister is irritating because she is VERY "woe is me". I get he's where he is because of her (at least in her mind), but it's enough already. He's the one in prison, then he's the one forced to retire from the job he loves, and she's over here sobbing away feeling sorry for herself. To make it worse, she won't even visit him. She's really pissing me off.

* I feel ZERO chemistry between ML and his girlfriend. Maybe it's his dry personality in the beginning, but I don't care about them as a couple at all. He has more chemistry with his best friend and other prisoners than he does her.

* I was SO happy that Crony turned out the way he did. That was a great direction to take that storyline. I also (at the time) loved the college girl visiting and writing a paper on Min Chul. Little did I know!!! ML's girlfriend being "too busy" to visit was just as annoying as the sister doing the same thing to him.

* He just can't figure out how to pitch straight, and 'ex-gf' comes up with the idea to put an X in the glove and suddenly that solves it and she's a genius who knows him better than anyone and no one else could have pulled that off. Really? Like it hadn't occurred to him to aim at the glove before the X? *eye roll*

* I do NOT want to do another villain arc where someone tries to kill him but here we are with the wood shop guy scheming in the greenhouse.

* NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO Please tell me this was a fever dream and he did not do ALL that hard work, for a year, quitting drugs, only to immediately do them again the moment he left. I swear to god, I will riot.

* Stating the obvious here, but Lt. Na is an insufferable grunt.

* His POS sister has still not visited. On top of that she's dating his best friend, who is also a guard there. What a shitty sister.

* I'm so happy that Lt. Paeng went to his daughter's career day. Crony being left behind made me sad, even though he did some heinous shit, and he'll obviously have the company of Captain Yoo for awhile. Also, would've liked to see him get out as well, maybe even Crony, so they could all meet up like they talked about.

* I love that Min-Chul had a daughter and that she reached out.

* The entire story is amazing and the friendships and chemistry is unmatched with this cast. I could've done without the girlfriend as there's no chemistry there. I also could've done without the sister because she was insufferable and selfish. They could've just had him saving any random chick.

I wanted to give this a 10/10 but I cannot forgive Loony's ending. It doesn't make any sense for his character. NONE. Also, I hated that we didn't get to see them all out of prison living their lives, or at least meeting up. Even if they just did a flash forward like they did with ML.

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Will Be a Cult Classic

What do I even say about True Beauty? It's amazing. Everything about it. The lead actress is beautiful and so, so funny. She makes the character so loveable, both by the 1st and 2nd male leads, and by the rest of the cast and audience.

There is a little bit of that trope where when she's the "ugly duckling" it's almost like the early 2000s romcoms where she just has her hair up and some glasses on. lol But it's still amazing.

My only complaint is how unbelievably difficult they made it for us to choose which guy she should be with. This is hands down the worst case of 2nd male syndrome I've ever had. And I'm not the only one. To this day I see half the people #TeamSuHo and half #TeamSeoJun. I don't even know if I know where I stand. lol

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Cute Like Strong Woman

I watched this right after Strong Woman Do Bong Soon because I saw they were similarly related and I'm really glad I did. I was hesitant at first because I felt like nothing so similar could be as good but I really enjoyed this. This was my first time watching a drama with both Nam Joo Hyuk and Lee Sung Kyung but I loved the story and thought their chemistry was amazing.

I also really adored her friends and their whole dynamic. Same for him and his friend. I like how the friend slowly started to really like her friends as well.

Also, who doesn't love a good Lee Jong Suk cameo!?

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Silly But Fun

This drama was my first time seeing Yoo Seung Ho and Chae Soo Bin in any drama so I had nothing to gauge their performances against, but I really loved both of them.

The premise is wild but it's unique and fun, albeit a little creepy. lol Getting to see her go from very robotic "robot" to realistic "robot" was really fun. The situations she got herself into were very sitcom-like but they pulled them off well.

I also really liked seeing the progression of Kim Min Kyu (Yoo Seung Ho) from anal, uptight, weirdo introvert to a more relaxed version of himself that can entertain guests without absolutely losing it.

The romance is cute too. It's sort of a unique twist on the enemies to lovers trope that we see so often, but it really works well.

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Good Old Fashioned K Drama

This drama was my first introduction to Lee Sung Kyung, although I definitely confused her and Suzy in the past. lol I really liked the actress and her character. This was also my first intro to Kim Young Dae and I found him and his character really charming despite being a little obnoxious at times.

I will say this drama really became a favorite after the introduction of the bumbling assistant Byun Jung Yeol (Jin Ho Eun) and especially after he and Gong Tae Sun (Kim Young Dae) develop that sweet friendship/work relationship. The shoe-tying montage being a favorite. lol

I'd definitely watch it again.

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Surprisingly Good

I read quite a few reviews about this show being good but for some reason I didn't have high expectations. Something about those bright colored track suits seemed silly to me. lol

I really enjoyed this story line as it's different from what I usually watch. It is still technically a romcom but it's not solely focused on that. I also really liked that they didn't dwell on the whole, she thinks they're insane and must've escaped an asylum or something. lol I mean it does take her a bit, but they didn't let that drag on too long.

These guys suffered the same fate as Lee Jong Suk in Pinocchio, which is falling victim to the very interesting hairstyles that dominated the early 2010's for male stars in Korea. lmao I get it, I do, but I'd rather they kept their historical hairstyles because they looked a little wild especially when combined with those bright track suits. haha

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Started for Lee Jong Suk, Stayed for the Drama

It's been awhile since I've watched this, but if I'm not mistaken I think this was my first drama with Suzy, and I always hear people raving about her so I had high hopes.

As the title states, I started it because Lee Jong Suk is one of those actors I like so much I will watch anything they're in. I don't even think I read the synopsis before starting this drama, which is rare for me.

I did wind up really loving the story because I hadn't seen any other drama with this type of story line. I also like how the story connected the characters and their storylines and their purpose in the show. I usually opt for romcoms as it's my guilty pleasure but this is one of those thriller type romance shows that is also funny at times and it turns out I REALLY enjoy those!

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Cute Little Drama - Easy Casual Watch

Out the gate I'm a fan of FL Do Do Hee (Kim You Jung) because I thought she was cute and funny in Backstreet Rookie. I think the ML Jung Koo Won (Song Kang) is surprisingly likeable for the devil. I definitely feel like the guy from Doom would be better suited. Although I didn't like Doom and found their chemistry to be 0% which is weird because Park Bo Young has chemistry with everyone!)

Oh, and I recognized Joo Chun Sook's actress (Kim Hae Sook) from Room No. 9! Also, Do Do Hee's lawyer, Shin Da Jeong (Seo Jung Yeon) and Jung Koo Won's assistant, Park Bok Kyu (Heo Jung Do) were super adorable, too.

As for the story, I think it's alright. Sadly I didn't have much 2 lead syndrome for Joo Seok Hoon (Lee Sang Yi). His heart just didn't seem in it (not as an actor but his character with hers.) I don't think they gave him much to work with. Also I'm sorry but Jin Ga Young (Jo Hye Joo) was pointless. Her character simply didn't need to exist. They didn't sell their background enough for her to need to be a part of this. She's just there to fill the 2nd lead syndrome on the female cast.

Overall it's an okay little drama. Noh Suk Min (Kim Tae Hoon) and Noh Do Kyung (Kang Seung Ho) did an amazing job at being so convincingly evil that it actually made my blood pressure rise. lol

I set out to find a sort of dramatic, sort of funny, middle of the road drama that wasn't too involved and I think this one nailed it.

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Almost Forgot About This Show

I can't believe I forgot to write a review right when I was done watching it. I'm now on the last episode of another show so I don't have much of a review.

I recall FL being super annoying because she just has NO backbone and 2FL being super annoying because she's just selfish. In retrospect, she's still a child. She's a child who died a child and just wanted to live again. Which makes it sad and less annoying.

The chemistry wasn't amazing between ML and FL but such is the characters they were written. Overall it's an alright little drama. I'm not sure I'd rewatch it. Maybe if years passed and I was looking for something familiar.

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Great Little Zombie Movie

I usually take notes on the shows/movies I watch as I go but I flew through this one so quickly I didn't have time. I thought this was a great movie. It was definitely a nice break from the 16 episode, hour long dramas.

I thought Yoo Ah In (Oh Joon Woo) was great in this movie. I was a little disappointed that Park Shin Hye (Kim Yoo Bin) was in it. My first time seeing her was in Pinocchio and she drove me nuts. Even when you hit the part of the show where she's supposed to be a better person, she just wasn't. She didn't really redeem herself in Heirs either, but this one went much better. I was actually rooting for her character which has been hard to do in past dramas. lol

I wish they had made it a bit more clear if his family made it. I'm guessing since the calls came through in the chopper all that time later that they must have after that voicemail but I wished they'd maybe showed them being with their family.

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Pretty Cute.. Only Mildly Annoying lol

These are the small amount of notes I took as I watched the series. No full review here, sorry.

The first episode or two of any new drama is always the worst. lol Especially if the last drama before that was really good. So far it's okay, but he keeps following her to check up on her but they've not really given him any real motivation to care that much other than him claiming he "won't be able to sleep" and he feel some type of way about sick/injured people.

What on Earth is with her pants? Is there a flood? I get she's supposed to look dumpy but the pants are mid-calf! And it's every pair! Also, this old "friend" or whoever is the worst. Is she meant to be attractive because she looks like the chunky end of an iPad pen with that terrible haircut.

My god she falls to the ground A LOT.

Why is EVERY single pair of work pants she owns the same horrible length? Why do they all come to halfway down her calf!? It's driving me nuts.

Okay, so this show was cute. I was very confused about how they were going to drag it out 16 episodes when they fell in love so quickly, but the pacing didn't wind up too bad. Overall good.

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Cuter Than Expected

At first I had a hard time getting into this story, and I was instantly annoyed by the over done lack of communication trope. Nobody can just be honest because god forbid we don't cause unnecessary drama. lol

Based on the title, description, and main art, it's clear this is meant to be a cute little drama, but it's much cuter than I thought it would be. During the times where I struggled with this show, it was the mobster friend group that really saved it for me.

I'm a sucker for outsiders taking in someone new as well as someone liking and hanging out with someone others would not, so it was nice to have both.

I liked seeing them warm up to her over time because they saw how different he was with her around. The 2ML and 2FL are adorable, but that whole thing where she was insistent on not wanting him was drawn out. Just get together and call it a day.

Also, I was hella surprised to see even the implication of s*x in a kdrama, let alone pregnancy outside of marriage. I mean, I'm used to kicking my feet when they hold hands for the first time 12 episodes in. lol It wasn't the worst, it was super minimal, however, if I wanted hookups and unwed pregnancies I'd watch crappy western shows. lol

Overall super cute and I love that they had the two oldest go on that blind date and didn't force that to work, but instead made it so she supported them still living there. Initially I thought they were going to force Dong Hee and Ye Na on us and I didn't like it at first because she had not redeemed herself. By the end of the show I would've been more okay with it, although I like that he stuck around with the group.

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You Have To Stick With It

I went the first half of this show fast-forwarding through a lot of stuff that I felt was getting boring or was overkill. Towards the end it actually picked up and got interesting. I don't have a whole lot to say about it. It was decent, but I feel like it would've been a great 8 episode series and instead it's an okay 16 episode series. Below are just my notes that I took while watching.

I knew I recognized him, but I had to look it up to place him. I wish I hadn't because I've only ever seen him in Vincenzo and now when I see him I'm like, "Ughhhh this douche bag." lol

This guy started coughing/choking while he was at that funeral, and now he's here with his friend... who sees ghosts. Please tell me this man didn't die.

I have been fast-forwarding like mad through this show. Like, it's okay, but it's getting boring.

However, they just went to exorcize the brother who's going nuts who they thought was being tortured by his dead ex-girlfriend, and I just feel the need to comment.

I don't want to say he's to blame because she ran into traffic but I also sort of want to blame him. You specifically didn't tell her you were going to have brain surgery, then at the last minute, call her and tell her you're sorry and how you might not be back, which OF COURSE throws her into a panic, which caused her to not pay attention. Like why do that at the last minute if you wanted to keep it from her!?

Really? This guy is dead? That was such a ridiculously minor accident. He hit plastic barricades going about 25mph.

LMAO
In Rang: "Hey... Bong Pal, is Hyeon Ji with you?"
Bong Pal: * silence *
Cheon Sang: *little wave to this empty chair, little wave to that empty chair *

Omg her flashback to her accident is ridiculous. It's not raining and no one is around. Suddenly it is raining, and not only do like 6 people come out of nowhere, but they all have open umbrellas. lol

Wow and it gets worse. The people showed up with umbrellas right away, yet he got out and was talking to her solo first. Make up your mind show. Just a little bit of continuity.

Is Hyeon Ji's mom the one that seems to be getting used by Hye Seong via fear?

Man Korean hospitals have ZERO security. The amount of times I've seen bad guys trying to murder people on hospital floors and hospital roofs in Korean dramas is off the charts. lol

You see him and you just hug him and cry instead of being like, "Yo, I'm in a coma upstairs!" Like, this is the important info. I hate when they do that.

"Doctor, why can't she remember anything!?" Damn, she just woke up from a five year coma like 10 seconds ago. Give her a break.

Man, the irony of the mother is unmatched. Doesn't like Bong Pal because "You can't just go around trusting anyone in this world." but instantly trusts the man who tried to kill her daughter TWICE and probably will try again a few more times.

Okay, so the series picked up, the ending is pretty much exactly what you expect. It would've been a great 8 episode series but instead it's just an okay 16 episode series.

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Lives Up To The Hype, Until...

I just need to preface this by saying I wanted to give this a 10/10 but part two absolutely ruined it for me. It was extra drawn-out and I just couldn't get behind rooting for her when she was played by a difference actress. Yes, I know that's the point, but still. I just didn't care about her at this point because she just wasn't the Mu Deok I came to love.

This is just a collection of notes I took while watching this show. I thought the show was only 20 episodes so boy was I confused when there were 15 minutes to go in episode 20 and stuff started to fall apart.

Why would he do the switch? Because if he doesn't the king kills him? Ok, so now I'm dead, and you'll be dead and still without an heir, Asian Jack Sparrow. Good plan.

Okay, why is he surprised old dude was going to smash his girl? He literally was bitching about an heir.

Wait so the king and the mage actually did switch back? I for sure thought the king would let him die in his body. And it seemed like they were saying that but I see I was wrong.

When he said he'd try to save her, I thought he meant with strength. Not by breaking the Jin Family's oldest and most important heirloom. Although, if Gwigsu waited until after everyone was gone to sniff her out, he wasn't very powerful. lol Jang Uk (Lee Jae Wook) is an interesting kid that's for sure.

Man has it been a wild ride. Fight with the Crown Prince, now he's run away and they're living with the ultimate mage. Then the alleged marriage, and now Mu Deok is missing.

I didn't realize Jung So Min was in this, let alone that she played the FL Mu Deok. I've only ever seen her in Playful Kiss, and she annoyed the crap out of me there so I was worried, but I actually love her in this. If only Park Shin Hye could have some sort of redemption with me. lol

I also super love Park Dang Gu (Yoo In Soo). He's just such a ray of sunshine and such a sweet person. Seo Yul (Hwang Min Hyun) is also really starting to open up. Hell, even Go Won (Shin Seung Ho) seems like he has some humanity.

It seems like Dang Gu really likes Jin Cho Yeon (Arin) which bums me out because she seems like an insufferable C word. ESPECIALLY after trying to pin the broken jade on Mu Deok like the jealous POS she is. Btw, as if a solid jade ball just breaks because you dropped the protected carrying case.

I love that Crown Prince clocked this fake a** Mu Deok from the jump. He knew the real one would not hesitate to be rude to him. lol

Not enough to frame her for breaking the jade, but you stole it and framed her too? Pathetic.

WOWWWW AND you watched her open the door to Jinyowon, so you know exactly where she's at and that something awful has happened to her and you're still quiet? No wonder your mom doesn't seem to like you that much. The daughter she misses, I assume, is far less disappointing.

"If she gets locked in she could die." *Looks down at the jade SHE broke and tried to pin on Mu Deok and locks Mu Deok in there*

Wow. Dang Gu didn't even hesitate to clock her ass saying he hears what sounds like jade knocking together every time she moves. That poor man. That face is pure disappointment.

What is Jin Ho Gyeong's (Park Eun Hye) problem? No wonder Cho Yeon sucks as a person.

At least she admitted to everything, although I imagine Jang Uk, and even Dang Gu, wouldn't have let it slide. They'd have defended Mu Deok since no one would believe her against essentially a princess.

Uh oh, they're about to ask her if she locked Mu Deok in Jinyowon and she's gonna out her abilities. Hopefully they won't believe her.

It's already duel time. I obviously don't want Jang Uk to die, but I also don't want Crown Prince to die.

The queen is the real Danju!? Man I thought that was the head of the Jin family when she first showed up.

Here comes another trouble maker. I love that it says, "Mu Deok and Jang Uk are once again driven apart." When will we stop with that story line?

Also, Crown Prince lovvvvvessss filthy Mu Deok. lol

So he can't bring his own servant, but also they're short servants and looking for new ones. Make it make sense.

Omg she knows she can't enter and he can't leave so why is she doing this nonsense like he abandoned her?

SHE'S THE LOST DAUGHTER OF THE JIN FAMILY!?

Omg these three helping her to pass is so cute. Although I bet she used her own test.

Jang Uk is such a petulant child. She worked so hard to get into Songrim and this is how he behaves? Omg I feel like its hours later and he's still being such a lazy, bratty, f*ck.

Heo Yun Ok (Hong Seo Hee) "You should forgive him. The flowers are so pretty." Maidservant Kim Do Joo (Oh Na Ra): "You really have a way with words, Lady Heo." I mean, really setting the bar low. lol

What's to stop So Yi (Seo Hye Won) from going to the head of Songrim and telling them what Jin Mu is doing? As a matter of fact, he just switched souls from that old mage to his young pupil, are you telling me no one is going to wonder where that super important, powerful, old man mage went?

What's the point of having the younger body if you can't even be your real self? Now you're just some lowly pupil.

Okay, so they're going to have him die in front of others so as to not rouse suspicions. But it still makes no real sense because would you even have your power in the new body or would you just spend a new lifetime getting back right to where you were before?

Yun Ok (In Jang Uk's room) while speaking to Mu Deok: "Please, come in." Girl what? Get out of fantasy land.

LOL Not Jang Uk and Go Won being driven to one another and completely misinterpreting it. They're like all the insufferable weirdos who insist on shipping male leads, especially if they have a healthy male friendship.

I kept thinking I hope this has a perfectly happy ending but Park Jin (Yoo Jun Sang) is on my last nerve and I wouldn't be upset if he died.

So Yi has some real audacity on her. I get why she did this to begin with, but to be so foolish to think they aren't using her.... wild.

So Mu Deok is the missing daughter of the Jin family, right? That makes sense as to why they never mentioned her mother and was basically confirmed when Cho Yeon's father stated that Bu Yeon was the result of an affair the mother had with another man.

Mu Deok has her powers back so why is she talking about soul-shifting despite it risking all their lives? What a brat.

I did not expect Cho Yeon and Dang Gu to actually follow and approach her dad. That's wildly dangerous.

Welp. I did not know there was a part two. I was surprised when things kicked off 15 minutes from the end of episode 20.

How much time has passed? Also, it seems Mu Deok isn't Mu Deok anymore which is going to be bizarre.

My poor, sweet Dang Gu. She's being a real biotch. Okay, so someone explain to me how Jin Mu is still kickin' around.

I get that they're trying to say Naksu's soul is inside Bu Yeon's body, but didn't we already establish Mu Deok was Bu Yeon? Not Naksu's soul, but actual physical Mu Deok?

I don't understand why she's not in Mu Deok's body. They said she was basically dead and they yanked her out of the lake. Why would it be anyone but Mu Deok? Mama Jin was hell bent on this because she saw Mu Deok mouth "mom" to her. So I don't understand how Naksu is in this other body and why Mama Jin wants it.

Okay, that's a stupid explanation. Her whole thing was keeping her daughter's body alive to get a grandchild and now it's not her daughter's body or soul. And yes, I know they said "Ohhh just the face will morph back to Naksu" which is also idiotic. I get why story purposes it can't be Mu Deok because people would recognize her but this is beyond stupid.

I'm sorry but I just cannot picture Jang Uk and Naksu. It almost feels like he's cheating. I just wish she looked like Mu Deok again.

Also, I've been meaning to say this for awhile but the OG Queen is also kind of an a**hole. I get what she's been through but she rubs me the wrong way. Also, if Shaman Choi (fake queen) was telling the truth, and I believe she was, the OG queen got herself into this situation by trying to get a newer, younger body.

This is exactly what I mean. She's blaming everyone else but taking absolutely zero accountability.

So tell me why Seo Yul doesn't seem absolute shook to see Naksu's face? Really? He doesn't recognize her? The woman he was madly in love with for years? Give me a break.

F*ck the queen. I do hope she dies. It was her vanity that got her into this mess and she's learned nothing.

I'm sorry but she has some audacity. She begged him to save her and help her, and he made it clear his intentions and now she's mad?

Nooooo Seo Yul dies!? Phew, ok. This show will give me a heart attack.

The audacity of Jin Mu to try to tell Lady Jin that she's also to blame. Bffr.

How dare lame ass doctor chick read his personal letters.

Okay, she's grown on me a little bit but I miss Mu Deok. Also, I'm sort of weirded out. It feels like he's cheating on Mu Deok by breaking their promise. I know she told him to move on, but it just feels weird. And that's WITH me knowing it's her. lol

All the horrible, horrendous things that Jin Mu has done, and he just keeps going. I SWEAR that turtle had better be safe and sound.

"What does it concern you, Yunk Ok?" could be a tagline for this show.

Jin Mu finally dying but of course this asshole queen and the other moron can't leave well enough alone. This show is never going to end.

Well as usual the ending was way rushed when the show had so many parts that dragged out that they could've cut for more time.

But at least everyone got their happy ending. Although I hate that they're happily ever after wasn't with her as Mu Deok. I get why in terms of the story, but I miss Jang Uk and Mu Deok.

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Cute Little Drama

I usually take notes while I'm watching a drama so I can write a thorough review later on but this was the first drama in quite some time that I didn't watch over the course of months. I got into it pretty quickly and then forgot about notes.

The cast is great. I love Park Min Young so I'm always happy to watch her in any role. I wasn't a big fan of Ryan Gold (Kim Jae Wook) at first, but I think that's the point. I was a big fan of the character Cha Shi An (One). He was super charming and charismatic from the jump.

Overall the story was super cute, although I did think it would go the route of ML vs 2nd ML with one of them being Cha Shi An, but the alternative story was sort of interesting. A little too intertwined if anything. I will say that FL and ML did eventually have some great chemistry.

I was NOT happy with the fact that they never revealed to Cha Shi An that Deok Mi was his number one fan, "Shi An Is My Road". Considering how much he adored that fan, and then how much he came to adore "Noona" that really bummed me out. I like a good old classic k-drama that ties up all the things and everyone gets there happy ending, but the fact that they didn't tell him was the worst.

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