“Even shoes tastes better when fried.”
The drama did take the quote really well. Satirically speaking, they were really fried so it was good for buds. However, it somehow and somewhat has troughs and crests. The drama had much to it, yet it failed to showcase the full potential. But, strictly if I stick to food and justify the title. It was a LILT. The food was presented in suchlike, that it was rather like poetry. Also, kudos to Yoona. From the simple ‘bibimbap’ to the ‘complex pecking duck’ all looked scrumptious. It was a song in motion, the cinematic shots added much to it. Few Dutch angles were well suited. Now let’s discuss few points which I liked,The End
> I’ll start with the end. The cold red moon by which black clouds of misery hover. Those spikes clouds piercing the love. All added to it. Blowing off the lights suggests darkness in their life and love. Tears which flooded without rain. Magunrok was always there but not there. Things we find are beside yet we can’t see them. The setting made me tear up, and LCM’s grief and pain OMG. ALSO THE OST especially the one “stay with me”. It was a cliche but had something new. I really liked it.
> OST OST OST! 10/10
> Acts
I shall give A LOT to the play of not only the main characters but all side characters too. LCM’s despair at some scenes, whereas his whimsical character, shared such a great sense of character depth. His anger and agony were well shown by LCM. Let’s not forget Yoona and her smiles, ‘hermès’, she showcased the character’s passion and burning fire for food. At points, I did get perplexed whether she made the dish or a professional. Amidst, let’s give cheers to our antagonists 4th Consort and Jesan, they did add gravity, especially Jesan. Our cooking team!! Well played and well executed.
> Ofc, Food.
I am awed how well they produced the gourmet universe. I didn’t go to it with a lot of food expectations, as I was disappointed by ‘tastefully yours’, but I am glad to see the better use of food not as a substitute in the story but the soul. I give kudos to the cinematographic team!! And also LCM’s witty yet creative reviews. ‘Sikyakdongwon’, food and medicine are just namely differentiated but come from the same plasm.
Food was not just used as a mere commodity or as a necessity of survival but also as passion. From using it to help the sick, they also bonded everything with food strings. Subtle food boxing(camera) was extremely effective.
> The colours, flowers and vividity
The abstract colours of red, white during competition and slash of blue, really did it for me. Indicating ferocity, fragile stillness and longing respectively. The flowers used from time to time could have carried weight. From the iris FL brought to the small yellow beauties in the first episode. The vividness of the drama did a lot to me being involved symbolically. The greenhouse had so much to it. There’s a lot! But let’s keep it short.
Shortcomings include,
> Story Cohesion
> Impact that really didn’t have much of an impact [Mother’s story] and still confused why she was killed. King’s longing, vengeance could’ve been heart wrenching if they kept giving us courses of it throughout. They just gave an appetiser and RAN towards the dessert. With a hasty main course.
> Lost at backstory, should’ve shown more glimpses of him with his mother
> Felt pressured at end that I was thrown to a plot
> More screen time of leads
> How did Jeonha go back? (Might be a lethargic reason)
> If they had took villains with the food and developed them too
In conclusion, would I suggest yea! Go for it. It’s new and refreshing. May keep you out of slump. The acting, the little chemistry and lots of compassion. If you are a food enjoyer you may enjoy it! Some lows were there but I didn't mind much! The other ingredients made them hidden. My review for this 12 course meal would be 8!!
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You stood by and it was like spring
As you stood by - A review (spoiler alert)Hello hello dramawatchiesss! Let’s go again on a tour of my drama review. This time we will decipher ‘As you stood by’. It really stood with me. I enjoyed the drama till the brim. From the frost shingles at start to the rising buttercup at end, everything worked out for me. It had so much to induce and portrayed it well. I HEAVILY loved the actings of respective FLs and all other cast. It showed deprivation of one in a manner that would boil one’s blood. The no mercy looks of antagonists were so strong and stern, I found myself throwing stuff. It was heck of a drama. One clash after another, one clatter after the another. Let’s dwell deeper, I’ll discuss character,acting and all basic information (brief) first and things which caught my eye then.
(Rating at last of the basic information)
Actings
> A good hand to acting, the villains showcased ferocity and victims showed vulnerability and despair. Villains made me kick stuff, which is indeed a sign of great skill and victims made me sob. Would’ve liked if they had used side characters more well than just dropping them in middle and popping them.
Plot
> There, for me, wasn’t much a plot it was everything in hand that had to be handled. Just turns and consequences were a variable but could be guessed by few equations. It would’ve been a 10/10 if the story didn’t eliminated the husband that early. Cause he really needed to feel the pain he made her go through. You could have no justification for domestic abuse. It is same as killing. I would’ve also liked if they included the Male protagonist more than they did, supporting him with more backstory and volume. He could’ve been a strong character. But I still accept the this point of story which gave the leads a more epistemological conclusion. She felt free and alive early.
Message, theme and Tone
> The drama delivered what it promised and atoned what it said. Abuse isn’t a thing to be indifferent too, it’s the major issue even in modern times. As said up, you cannot have any verdict for abusing anyone. The theme stayed intense yet calm, close ended het ambiguous and cold yet still warm. The setting and temperature alteration of colour gravities the tone. The contrasting tone and congruity tone, this alignment was sharp. “Antonym of love isn’t hate but indifference and neglect”, said Husbands mother in a domestic violence conference. Irony or mockery? It ain’t good to endure violence neither good to ignore, it’s the first step of internal strife and emotional poverty. “If you cross by a victim of violence, just give them a hug and say it’s not your fault” said the same mocked lady. The theme fluttered a little at end as it jumped from realism to semi-fiction.
Cons
- If they used husband more and made him go through agony
- Used side character more deeply
- Used a lot of items from thrillers corruption to abusive marriage, slush funds etc, could have cut down one or two
- I felt Huisu missing at end episodes
- Sang Kang had gravity but no depth. No proper story of his side. Time issue maybe
My rating stays at 8.5
White not purity, but blindness
Red not love, but blood
> If you closely look, the drama has a high note of white and then red aftermath. White curtains, white waves, white dresses, white interior, and frost. Red as blood, beet juice, ferocity, abuse marks, his eyes etc. These all first show white as a blinding power and then using red to show the consequence. The white curtain which gave Eun-Su a stimuli generalisation contradicts the common meaning associated with white, peace. And her going to give her life by ocean’s white foamy waves. These all seem to juxtapose their common calm, serene meanings. Red beet juice, the first time Hui-su made it the intensity of the red tone was low but in succession it was more red and blood like. Which were noting but a mirror to her physical condition (how badly she was abused). When they finally kill her husband, again she had a white gown showing her stern pale strength which was sparkling in blood of fake love. I really liked this scene, it meditated a revenge vibe with remorse. Eun-su at white belt also showcased her not being able to reconcile with that past and ignorant behaviour. But when she finally grabbed blue of hope, it had good repercussions. There’s more but finally, the white bed sheet where Hui-su dazzles with all abuse, agony and bloodshed.
Introductions Of blue Frost: Story within a story
> This would be the most noticeable thing in the drama with enough gravity to enlighten. It said a lot about what’s gonna happen in next hour. Was it the typography or the animation, I am not sure, but it made me heavily interested. From ep 1 to 8, from the first shingle of frost flake to the last shingle of it on the first bud of the buttercup ( I hope it was a yellow buttercup). It went in a cadence, a simple snow shower-bride,dressed all white almost in symphony of background-a happy newly wed, all show reality covered under the rime- A blood full crack, a new opening, a new beginning- two free white doves in sky, both FLs reliving their lives which were dabbed under indifferent sleet- a cross at grave, signifying that still the reality of them killing wanders beneath the sky in which they float- A cigarette thrown at grave, might indicate it being now naked to world, uncovered- and finally a small yellow buttercup over grave, symbolising upcoming spring, peace and joy after the chilly winter. Also, let’s not forget the blue tone behind, neutralising the situation a little and providing hope.
Ep. 2 Hui-Su
> The main highlight of the whole series for me is ep 2. This episode is an epitome of physical, mental and psychological annihilation. All red shed and white drapes. The execution didn’t went any lenient in showcasing the abuse and violence. Kudos. This episode had a lot to intake. Firstly, image 2 in the given image list shows the big of a contradiction. The husband used to beat her by garmenting the room, playing music suppressing her inner cries, as the abuse intensifies the music goes bold which more and more suffocates her. And then, this scene comes he gives her a black bouquet of red roses which says love attired in misery and fatality. The camera is placed such which disguises and makes it look that how loving would the couple be, the frame behind testifies it. But, all show and fabrication. Whereas in the coming scene, you’ll see (no image as it had some censor stuff) she’s laid on a bed all scarred and then he is boxed behind getting all naked, suggesting his pure and true form the beast. And her lying in front is an evidence which completes the whole box. And then she sees a black tiny spider, indicating dark sides of love and despair. Then again, other day when he goes to office, camera is placed in an antithetical position that makes them look like a lovely and attractive couple. With frames and kiss. Her despair is finally boxed and the situation becomes even and true. Then also let’s not forget the painting she did in her box suffocating, dark room which but gives peace and safety. This episode was IMPECCABLY delivered by the actress and actor. Hands down…
Cinematography and Visual Poetry
> Cinematography was really well, realistic and pragmatic. It wasn’t rapid but went calm with the vibes. It don’t made me feel I was being rushed, which I feel in most thriller movies and dramas. The shots, subtle boxing and if I am not wrong a few Dutch angles tend to make a good depth. It felt that the camera also empathising with victim and consoling her. It escalated the situation and didn’t showed any difference in highlighting the raw and painful nature of violence. It swayed like a wave. I adored the part when they were coming back after burying her husband the sky shots of nature , forest,road and ocean were all nicely absorbed. There were minute shots which could’ve been a littttle better but it’s fine! I am no professional, to say ittt!
The end, circle completion, every meaning goes common
> The buttercup in prison where Huisu was indicated her mother watching over her even after going away. It indicated the spring has now arrived. Mother’s yellow hug has bloomed. Hui and Eun both went to their life in Vietnam where they did the basic things and were actually living. Ignoring and being captive in a cupboard to abuse is nothing less than a crime, said Hui. But now they were there under bright skies, accounting everything, echoes heard out and life in hands. The ocean got its calm back, the white got its peace. And they got their life. “I’ll now how to face it, I’ll know how to stand”, said them standing together in white by ocean. Reconciled and pasturing. Really well done. It was written well and showcased sophisticatedly. “Whatever wave tomorrow brings or whatever tomorrow the wave brings, I’ll face it.” It’s like a new wave emerged and rippled throughout.
Conclusion and yes or a no?
The drama diligently, persistently and rawly showcases abuse not as a common happening but an issue of societal conscience. It shall not be normalised. Abusing is synonymous to murdering someone. You kill the person in murder but kill the soul in abuse. The drama sharply hooks us with the issue and makes violence hiding in shadow of one. It’s like frost, freezing one’s blood and time. Which even spring can’t melt. One gets all covered in the dusk and wildness of it, by which it’s really hard to recover. It’s a BIG YES YEA to watch it. It’s not perfect but delivers the message the serves it right. It’s high time to shove this issue in our intellect. It is as an ode to those women and to each person who unfairly suffers abuse and violence in the cement and mud walls. Please make sure not to miss it.
**the full review is based on my interpretation and mind, please avoid causing any issues whatsoever.**
I hope you enjoyed reading till here. Thank you very much for staying till here. My hearts to you. Please let me know your thoughts below and let me also know how was it? Or anything you noticed. Enjoy reading and happy watching dramawatchiessss!!! Stay tuned for next review! Always up for discussion!!! ✨💫
(Also make sure to check out my Reddit, link in bio)
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“Can’t help but come by often.”
Finally, I have finished the drama. Well and it was a miss but it played well. It was one where I hanged on but no clippings caught me. I was blown away. But came back. Yes, I did enjoyed most of it and admit the flaws. This was a case where there were a a lot of evidences and witnesses but they were kind of too much and irrelevant. I liked the happy happy friendship vibes also the drop bit of romance. For the rating**7.8ish/10 but I’ll give an 8**
It is a rating which was pushed up at start of very last episode. I had my hopes down during the last quarter. It was just I was being pushed with so much of information, that I was stopping it at times. But, wrapping up something plays a lot to me. Even the dramas with bestest acts and writing fail to merge the lines at end. This drama really gave me a good insight at end. For my part of review, I’ll discuss the factors below,
> The end
It started with Seochodong and terminated to see you around there. I was captivated by this circle. The start had the lines emerge which looked coincident and together but as story progressed they went parallel. The Seochodong was the converging lens. “You’ll be comfortable here”, Mr. Ahn said. As, whatever and however excruciating it is. It’s home. It’s a reunion. Maybe a hug? The detach was just for something new. I am glad it wasn’t the drama where they just go like “here we go again” trope. But rather I saw a new line at end of circle. There were changes. Which were necessary to move on. Cause to move on, motions shall be possessed.
> The Friendship
The drama showcased friendship in a more natural and engaging way. There were many moments where I thought, “Ah, I have experienced this”, you much to say but you keep it in. They were always there supporting each other, yet had storms of their own, still calmed down others. But eventually, they did poured it. “When you can’t hold, I’ll be there. When you stop, I’ll be there.” Writer didn’t pushed the friendship rather made it grow. It cooked on a low flame, like the hotpot.
> Perspective
During a case, ML and FL were arguing over case in initial episodes. I was annoyed by MLs thought, like FL, but as he polished the case. I was AWED. It was a new eye. Towards end, the case of grandmother. How well fl took it, she wasn’t there to prove her innocent and chug the case. But, make her hidden soul shine. Grandma did murdered, but circumstances which lead to it shall not be taken lightly [Ik it’s not fair, I have no right to say it, but things don’t stand own their own there’s something behind]. I was myself at barbaric consultation with my inner self I did thought for a while. You may too!
> Parallelism, Cinematography and Eggs
The strings which connected today’s Fl and ML with the ones young in their youth a making it run in a congruity was well. Some transitions were smooth. There was a scene at end of ep 1, where camera focuses on a half filled beer glass, suggesting that there is something still bubbling. Their backstory was fresh, where the leads had a different charm.
The earthquake things which came at the entry of FL and building owner suggested changes and unseen initiatives. There were so much small of details and eggs scattered here and there, but I’ll keep it short.
I enjoyed subtle boxing and lines of division used throughout. Honourable mentions were the subway scene of ML and Fl which was at end of an episode. And in the one of the last few eps, there was a scene where they all were eating a restaurant where they order gyoza with something. And camera moves out boxing them in groups. Which indicates some similar thought alignment and likability. In most meetings of Fl and ML boxing was used to describe the intimacy.
> Acting, Plot and Theme
Acting was well. I really like the actresses acting and it was my first time with ML. But my fav ones are 2nd FLs husband and Attorney or I should say Prosecutor Cho. I clicked with Cho as he’s one at centre yet shadowed. Talkative yet one left not talked. I was annoyed at once when all leads were just cutting him off. Actor was well. I enjoyed each aspect of acts and didn’t felt it went low enough. Ofc few misses were there.
Plot, not much of a plot was there. It was just like new episode new talk with side stories wiring around.
Theme, the law based theme and everything was just not too much great either bad but wasn’t avg. The subtle calming tone catalysed by food like a warm hug did some for me. Their interactions were always so much of inviting and exhilarating. I find no obnoxious things about this tone. Whereas the serious, volatile nature during cases was fine. Not much of talk.
For ost, I only enjoyed “can I love you” by doko other ones didn’t really reached to my ear. Should’ve used them better imo.
Misses
> Too much at once
> Some cases were left at void
> I don’t think it classifies as Romance, cause I got a bare minimum of Romance. (Not to mention the screen time of leads.)
> Should’ve given more screen to pregnant phase to deepen it at end.
> Was perplexing at time. Writer might’ve been rambling stuff at one point.
> No gravity was created for cases, like come yes ah go
> Would’ve liked more of a proper context of Building owner. At least a support system underneath. (Or she was meant to be like that idk but ya)
That’s all!!!
My nutshell review would be, give it a chance. Just don’t go with a lot of hopes. And you won’t be disappointed, we can’t really hope dahlias in brisk of winter dusk. Bustling and hustling life’s of attorneys fighting inside out. New ideas and ideologies scattered waiting to be induced. Happy watching! I am open for discussions, critics and more of your thoughts!!! Cyaaaa till thennn new drama comes idk what I’ll watchhh! Hearts!
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“Love that is little pressed makes a person Human”
Hello everyone!Just finished this beautiful and immensely refined piece. I really enjoyed FL and all the other actors. Drama in my opinion of written very well, I like the writer a lot! I didn’t really see places to hate it. It was amazing.
When I watch drmamas I tend to get lost in hidden details, easter eggs, poetry, literature and all connections related to actors
(Clothes, eyes, surroundings, rooms etc’..) This drama at a glance seems mundane but when I rewind scenes I see the depth. OWS is executed really well, the cinematography was done sagaciously. The point enjoyed throughout,
> Contrast of Mi rae and Miji
From their character to their rooms. From their ways to endure to their ways to fall. Everything was sheerly different. It made me think that being twins would come with benefits. But writer tried to create a narrative of antithesis, which u enjoyed.
> Introdcution of Ho Su and Se-Jin
They are dual too. Addition of HS suggests monochrome to the polychrome of MJ, whereas contrary in latter case. They didn’t had concrete connections with each other. But were well connected. I really liked SJ tainting MR’s monotonous life, he made her upcoming chapters a serenade.
> Ro-sa and Sangwol
When I was watching, I got perplexed a lot! But found out eventually. Poetry was flawlessly upstaged by the writer in this case. “Life and poetry are the same”, said RS. Their backstory was also robust and barbarous but RS’s faint hope to SW made her live for long and long. That wasn’t hope, but a resolve to her inner struggle. The light of finding people who have will to understand this lonely one, was proved by time.
> Mothers
All three mothers, were showing different perceptions of a mother. One cared a lot, one showed didn’t though had, latter didn’t cared till later. How beautiful! I enjoyed watching mother front of the drama. Resent, remorse all bore from love and care. Hate isn’t due to despise though love.
There are more things to adddd, but since it’s my first review I’ll keeep stuff short! I’ll grow eventually. Acting well furnished, well written and executed. OSTs were worth listening, though only 10CM fall upon my soul. I could definitely re watch it! And I would suggest to watch this drama with a kind, open and sincere heart. Only then you will see each petal of the flower. Roses have tenth’s of peels, but only few embrace each, shower your love! The drama is well! Don’t be swayed.
“Promise of tomorrow isn’t born from hope, though resolve.” - ho Su.
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