the chemistry was chemistrying ... but
let me start by saying that alice ko and jasper liu are both fantastic actors. they delivered solid performances and did nothing wrong. in fact, their chemistry was the glue that held this series together. unfortunately, the writing was the show's biggest flaw. the decision to focus on emotional cheating, a messy marriage, and a pushy mother-in-law as central themes had potential, but the execution fell flat. additionally, the "plot twist" was underwhelming, and the characters showed little to no growth until the very last scene, which left me disappointed. however, i hope alice ko and jasper liu won't be discouraged to on make another drama together.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Strong Cast, Weak Character Writing
My initial reaction to this drama was positive. It had everything you could ask for: three female leads portrayed by incredibly talented actresses and a court centered premise. What fell apart, in my opinion, were the characters’ individual storylines. It was as if the screenwriter didn’t see them as separate individuals, but only as a friend group. As the series went on, this became even more noticeable. Overall, the soundtrack was okay, nothing outstanding.I wasn’t going to mention it, but why are we still doing open endings in 2026? They rarely work especially for this type of series. This drama clearly has a specific audience. If you’re not into law dramas with female leads, it simply isn’t for you.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
could've should've ending ruined the last episodes of the series
i had to narrow down my ratings after seeing the last few episodes but overall it was an enjoyable watch. let me start with the strong suits of the drama that kept me watching:- good acting by everyone from the main cast
- great cinematography
- interesting plot
- lovely support characters (i really liked that all characters had their own ambitions in this story . we even got flashbacks of their past which added a lot to the story)
- chemistry is out of this world
- moral of the story: don't trust men
- women were portrayed as smart people, especially XFF
now the things i didn't like that much:
- at some parts downplaying SA
- promoting it as an angsty romance (there was no angst since the beginning, only yearning)
- cheap cgi effects (but it's slowly becoming a trademark of a popular drama)
the biggest mistake writers ever made the messy ending of the show. they were trying to please core audience the book lovers and viewers at the same time. it ended up blowing up to their face
- SYR just offing himself after writers portrayed him as the obstacle
- WN's forced ab*rtion
- don't get me started on the battle scene where everyone got offed followed by peaceful epilogue of the leads
Was this review helpful to you?
might be triggering...
My Broken Mariko is a visually stunning Japanese film that explores complex themes like mental health, grief, and redemption. The story follows Tomoyo as she travels across Japan to deliver the ashes of her best friend, Mariko, amidst the struggles of her painful past.Through the visually striking imagery and outstanding performances, the audience is transported into Tomoyo's emotionally-charged world.
The music is thoughtfully composed and helps to create a vivid atmosphere, heightening the emotional impact of each scene.
Overall, My Broken Mariko is a journey of self-discovery and redemption that serves as a reminder of the human capacity for resilience and the importance of accepting help from others. The main reason why I can't give it a higher rating is because it has a low rewatch value because of triggering themes.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good Script, Great Cast
There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the performances of Lee Byung Hun and Son Ye Jin, as well as the directing by Park Chan Wook. However, what I would really like to highlight is Yeom Hye Ran’s supporting performance. She perfectly balances the realism and surrealism of Lee A Ra, the failed actress who, I would argue, is the second most important character in the film. Without such a strong supporting performance, this film simply wouldn’t have worked.Was this review helpful to you?
Solid Premise, Mid Writing
It started out promising, but in the end it turned into a mess. JS was the main reason I tuned in. I prepared myself mentally, knowing it wouldn’t be as good as The Devil Judge. It’s hard for him to top that drama unless he tries another genre. The most noticeable weakness was the the supporting female lead's acting. Also, I didn’t appreciate the overall slice of life meets law drama approach this series took. This would have worked much better if it had been trimmed down to about 10 episodes.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Warm as a hug
I saw insanely negative reviews and knew I had to step up my game. This drama was never meant for romance lovers. The romance was a subplot which blew out of proportion because of edits. The leads had barely five minutes of screen time together in the early episodes. What made this drama one of my favorites of the year was the overall vibe. It became my companion during one of the most stressful periods of my life. The real highlight was the ensemble cast. There were no weak links. The chemistry among the entire cast was amazing, and no one felt like the odd one out. I have a secret soft spot for 90s nostalgia bite Asian dramas, so this made me tune in. However, there were clear issues with the writing. I didn’t have the same problem others did with the story going in circles with Kang Tae Pung getting scammed seven days a week. That carefree behavior was in character. For me, the real stumbling block was O Mi Seon. Around the midpoint of the drama, her character became somewhat useless. It's as if her sole purpose was to be the love interest. Until almost the final episode, she never stepped out of her comfort zone neither in her professional ambitions nor in her personal relationships. This situation frustrated me, because she had so much potential early on, and Kim Min Ha is a great actress who deserved more than what the writing gave her work on.In conclusion, if you’re into slice of life in the 90s with a touch of romance, this drama is meant for you.
Was this review helpful to you?
can music carry the series?
this drama is carried by two things: the acting, and the music. unlike other people, i personally see music part is more of a weakness. the heavy reliance on music makes the dialogue between characters feel a bit monotone, especially since the story itself is quite straightforward and easy to follow. the performances especially by the lead actors are strong and give the story emotional weight in slice of life genre, making the characters believable and easy to connect with. also, their on screen chemistry is another highlight in this series. i'd recommend this drama to anyone who likes music centered stories with a tip of slice of life.Was this review helpful to you?
what about my mental health?
this is a story that revolves around the complicated relationship between a father and daughter. the drama's plot is simple, yet effective. i had a few crying sessions over the course of series, so writer better pay for my therapy bill. overall, acting was outstanding, and song choices complemented the emotional tone of the show.Was this review helpful to you?
addictive mess
let me start by saying that i loved how messy this series was in the beginning- emphasis on the beginning. it lost me because the male lead turned out to be the dumbest man who ever lived. i felt bad not only for the female lead (whose life was destroyed) but also for the child of the second female lead and the male lead. Imagine having a spineless dad and a psycho mom as parents. the best parts of this series were the acting (everyone delivered peak telenovela-level performances), the editing, and the camerawork, all of which helped bring out the drama's genre. i really hope we get another revenge jdrama with slightly better writing in the future.Was this review helpful to you?
don't go into this drama expecting something extraordinary
despite good acting, portrayal of characters is heavily biased. all the morally grey or outright negative characters are non-communists, while communists are uniformly depicted as virtuous and compassionate (usual propaganda). this lack of nuance detracts from the realism of the story, as no group is entirely free of flaws. another thing that really bothered me was the handling of a romantic relationships. if screenwriter intends to tease romantic subplots, it would be better not to do that. these tiny moments make watching experience more frustrating. despite WWs being overused theme in cdramas, this drama is able to stand on its ownWas this review helpful to you?
How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies
1 people found this review helpful
emotional value is this film's selling point
this film's plot is quite simple, but acting and directing ended up pulling on my heart strings. it also made me think of my grandma (who passed away) and how significant role do grandmothers actually play in family dynamics. after finishing the film, i got quite emotional. hopefully, oscar voters see this film's uniqeness in portraying complicated emotions and it scores a nomWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
too much going on for it just to be a film
i'm going to keep it sweet and short and say that this film had a mini series potential. there were a lot of things that i wish we would've seen. i feel like we got a half-baked conclusion for all the main story lines. yes, wonderland helped all of them to move on, but i really need them to find their true happiness outside of AI bubble. even the main couple's (TY and JI) story feels incomplete.overall the concept of portraying AI as an device to deal with grieving/ reconnecting was interesting. writers would've gone more in dept with the wonderland, if it was a series. they could only portray the positive side of AI in the film , but i was curious about the negative side. fake remains fake in the end.
here is the list of scenes i wish that we would've seen
- how did wonderland's developers come up with an idea?
- did TY and JI ended up together?
- how is BL's family dealing with her death?
- HM's funeral (this grandma was the most precious character in the whole film)
one thing that bothered me personally was the amount of cameos. it was hard to focus on the film since it's filled with a lot of well known actors
Was this review helpful to you?
definitely one of the best dramas released this year
call it lee hanee effect, but whatever this woman touches turms into gold. don't get me wrong, everyone involved in this drama has done an excellent job, but carrying the lead role especially so complex kind is amazing. i have zero complaints about the series besides the music. i've been waiting months for another drama struck me like storm like this drama didWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Happy ending but...
A lot of people seem to have issues with this season because of nostalgia, and lack of references to earlier seasons. My only real complaint is the hint at a U.S. spin-off in the last scene. I'm going to pretend as it doesn't exist. Overall, they did a great job introducing new characters and handling the storytelling. The baby plot annoyed me a bit, but considering Japan’s low birthrate, I have a feeling this trope is here to stay. In addition, it wasn't nearly as annoying it was in a Squid Game. The standout newcomers for me were the actors who played Rei, Yuna, and Tetsu. I also really appreciated how they included the old characters with special cameos that felt natural. All in all, I'm glad that they managed to conclude the series on a happy note. Writers need to normalize happy endings.Was this review helpful to you?
