Bali

Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist Season 2 is a nice sequel to Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist that deals more with Poong’s ability to bring healing by treating patient’s emotional wounds, his journey dealing with scheming characters until he’s able to clear his name, and his beautiful rendition of a man that remains steadfast to his friends and his love one. Kim Min Jae's acting is again flawless and makes up for the lack of romantic chemistry from Kim Hyang Gi as Seo Eun Woo. Although she was always there to help him and truly cared for him, and despite the fact that they had some nice tender interactions and one heartwarming kiss, for most of their romantic scenes, she was not showing much emotions but her surprised or cold demeanor for a character that truly shined when she was smiling. The rest of the cast was as fantastic as Season 1 as a united front and delivering very good comedic scenes. The antagonists on this season were a bit too farcical and somewhat disrupted the flow of the plot making it a bit choppy but still not bad enough to damage the drama. The second season has its luster but it needed one or two more episodes to show more about the other great characters in the clinic; also, although the drama ended happily with the leading couple getting married, there are no romantic vibes but plain and simple comedy and, (SPOILER ALERT), one super unnecessary character’s death at the end.

Read More

This is a good slice of life drama with a light fun plot. Although there is character growth, especially for Ye Shi Lan (played by Liang Jie), her character was insufferable in her lack of understanding of her own feelings for most of the drama. At age 28, not knowing when you are in love or, at least feel attracted to someone, when she had been in a relationship before, is simply unrealistic. Lu Zhao Xi (played by Joseph Zeng) was also too restrained about his feelings for Ye Shi Lan and, although he seemed to understand Shi Lan lack romantic knowledge, his constant teasing became tiribg since, most of the time, it lead to nowhere. Even though, once they started the romantic relationship their interactions got better, there are no great sparks coming out of either one of them; their romance was cute and they grew to love and better understand each other. There is no great force of nature feeling in this drama but there are many good feel moments. The drama ends well but the ending was more appropriate for a youth drama; it was too playful and lacked romantic vigor for a pair of adults that are finally openly together. It does make you smile, though!

Read More

This is a very distressful drama that, as the synopsis says it is: “A sad and painstaking love story between a teacher and student as it follows the heroine and her plot for revenge.” The drama is a tumultuous rollercoaster that pervades up until the very end. Although the leading couple has a good bantering and fun chemistry, they don’t have a good romantic chemistry. The leading lady, from beginning to end, is impulsive and lacks trust in her relationship with the leading male causing too many tragic turns of events. The choice of a very young looking leading female works well for the beginning when she was very young, but, as the character grows older, the actress’ demeanor doesn’t show physical or emotional maturity since she keeps looking and behaving like a 12 year old. If the viewer likes dramas where the leading couple is mismatched, where there is a prolonged separation for the main couple, and a senseless ending, then this is the drama for you. [The movie is a sequel to the drama and, although it has a fairytale ending you will get to see the leading male recovered, it has a comical atmosphere and lacks a loving mood.]

Read More

This is a very low quality drama. The cinematography, costumes, plot, and acting are really subpar. Although the main leads have shown better acting skills than the rest of the cast, there is not a single actor that can be singled out as having done a great portrayal of his/her character; possibly the worst are the actors that are doing the parents’ roles. Some reviewers have said that the drama is cute and great; but REALLY, don’t waste your time on this one. SPOILER: And what is that ending all about? Cliffhanger of her sister coming back hinting at a second season? Is she going to take her place now? JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT! It will be terrible to continue with this series, get the main leads into another drama to give them a better acting opportunity!

Read More

Cute Programmer is a very good business romantic drama adaptation from the manhwa "No Programmer Can Be So Cute!" by Tianyi Icartoon and Vitality Studio. Although the drama has some comedic moments and characters, there are some heart tugging moments that are very well delivered by the actors. The leading couple takes some time to develop mutual feelings and longer to trust each other, but their journey is believable and their love for one another remained steadfast. There are some cliché incidents but this drama is not to be compared with “You are My Destiny” in any way. Although he learns that his ex girlfriend (the main antagonist) was not totally responsible for his company’s troubles a few years ago and he shows her some sympathy as she tries to manipulate him, it is clear that he is not harboring amorous feelings toward her but just a kind of care for her struggles. Although the leading male is of high intellect, his has a low emotional intelligence that caused him to make errors in judgment and the leading lady doubted his love for her for too long, their journey to love and trust each other is nicely done and endearing. There are two more couples that provide some nice moments aside from the leading couple but the drama never loses its focus on the “cute programmer”. Overall, although the drama is not perfect, the actors delivered their characters well and it is entertaining. Enjoy it!

Read More

This is a nice travel fantasy romance drama set within a historical time period. The drama is very well done in matters of cinematography, music, costumes, filming locations, and action scenes. The plot develops within three travel times and, although the female and male lead are insufferable creating misunderstandings as they maneuver to find a way to make the malefactors pay for their crime, the drama sticks to the evolution of their twisted fate love story. There are some parts that drag a bit due to some unnecessary plot twists, but overall, the drama manages to stay entertaining. The leading and supporting actors did a good job bringing their characters to life and, although the female lead could’ve done better with her facial expressions, her love and care for the main lead grows stronger with every time she travels back and forth. The leading actor is the antihero that, ultimately, saves the day and, although he comes out as a cold manipulative strategist in order to avenge the decimation of his family, he comes to love and understand the female lead as time goes by. The leading couple has good chemistry and the second lead couple is really enjoyable to watch. The climatic fight between the last antagonist and the heroes is short but very well done and justice is served! Although there are some clichés like amnesia, obsessed second leads, and a foolish last minute separation, the drama has an insipid happy ending. Overall, the drama is not perfect but it is very entertaining, enjoy it!

Read More

My Girl is a nice romantic comedy within a business setting. The split personality concept was well played by the leading actress and every time she had a split episode, it was a way to introduce either conflict or resolution into the leading couple’s progression. Although there are some dramatic moments, the drama is lighthearted and the friendships around the leading couple are also nice to watch as they interact with each other and eventually fall in love. There is a good chemistry between the lead couple and their romantic interactions are well done and believable. The friendship between the male lead Shen Yi and his confidant Sui An is nicely developed and great to watch. Overall, even if the drama is not perfect, it is very entertaining. Enjoy it!

Read More

This drama is a romantic comedy that doesn’t deliver neither comedy nor a good romance. The theme of having the characters formed part of an architectural firm and the jobs that they undertook were the most interesting aspects of this drama; also their friendship and camaraderie. The ending of the drama was good and fanciful!
SPOILER ALERT:
The romantic plot was the most disappointing since, not only the leading couple lacked chemistry and their intimate moments felt like someone poured iced water over the couple but also the female lead could act wise and mature toward her friends but her character was insufferable with the leading male who, by the way, was too stiff and lacked romantic aura toward the female lead. The leading female lies to the male lead about her identity, even after starting their romantic relationship showing that she didn’t trust him enough and acted arrogant and selfish blaming him when he was hurt and upset for her lack of transparency with the lame excuse that she didn’t mean to hide her identity but still did it over and over again until she was ousted by a someone from the palace. So, what could have been a lighthearted drama with romantic and comedic undertones, turned into a mess of deception where the male lead ends up quickly forgiving and saving her at the end! Truthfully, Zhao Yi Ning (played by Yang Yun Xuan) was a more likeable character and a better match for the leading male.

Read More

This review is for Season1 & 2:
This is a fun and winsome short fantasy drama where the characters of a virtual game, Bo Ye and Yan, accidentally crossed to the real world after the game shut down. In the real world, Xiao Yu and Yuan Fan team up with the master of Bowu Sect to get rid of Yan, the villain of this virtual game. Coincidentally, Xiao Yu becomes Yuan Fan bodyguard and they become romantically involved. The romance is slow burned and the leading couple lacks chemistry. The drama is farcical and many characters are satirical and exaggerated, but overall, the drama is lighthearted and fun to watch while waiting for a great one to come.
SPOILER ALERT: The drama ends well since, even if the story was a dream, the leading couple has its destined meeting.

Read More

This is a great romantic comedy set in a historical period. This is a lighthearted drama with well choreograph action scenes, great cinematography, enjoyable OST, and a cast that did great delivering their characters with an honorable mention to Rain Lu as Wen Ren Jua, a lovable, smart, witty and, at some times, too naïve about people’s true character. The conflicts between the leading couple are many due to misunderstandings, but they are quickly resolved through the amazing communication between them. The leading couple has great chemistry and their interactions are adorable. The supporting cast did well, especially the second leading couple whose friendship with the leading couple is strong and steadfast; they truly shine on episode 30! Overall, this is a very good romantic comedy; nothing thunderous, but truly entertaining. Enjoy it!

Read More

This review is for Season 1, 2, and 2 short extra episodes!

Season1 @ 2: This is a wonderful drama in matters of production, cinematography, beautiful costumes, faithful to Xianxia’s theme of heaven, mortal, and back to heaven realm plot and setting, fantastic CGI’s and action sequences, and great acting from most of the cast. The OST’s are good but the drama could’ve had some scenes in which using just sounds and rhythm would’ve been a better choice since there is a lot of metaphorical dialogue on this drama. ChengYi (as Ying Yuan) and Yang Zi (as Yan Dan) did a great job portraying their character. They truly delivered their emotions well and they have good chemistry throughout their interactions. The reason the drama is not a rating of 10 is because of how Yan Dan’s character was written. Although Ying Yuan made mistakes in the first part of the drama (Heavenly Realm) that gave Yan Dan a painful and heartbreaking experience, he was equally disconsolate and miserable as he was also harsh toward himself. As much as Yan Dan loved him to the point of sacrificing herself, she wasted precious time with him. She forgave others with ease and warmth, but her demeanor and harshness toward Ying Yuan made her character insufferable and nonsensical, almost to the end. Still, taking in consideration that these characters and plot are intrinsic to Xanxias, theses drama is excellent and very entertaining. Enjoy it! (PS: The 2 short extra episodes provide closure to many characters and bring a happy ending to the drama)

Read More

This drama is a “slice of life” that intends to muse the viewer into the life of 4 individuals that finds themselves entangled and falling for each other in spite of their different socioeconomic and emotional circumstances. These characters will have to face difficulties from dysfunctional familial relations and interference to personal insecurities and other dilemmas that, although somehow seem to find a good level of resolution, there is a sense of emotional disjointedness by the end of the drama. The cast did well delivering their characters but the dialogues, although they were well written, sometimes felt muddle and erratic due to the complexity of the characters’ thoughts, feelings, actions, and reactions. The last episode seems rushed but the very end is creative and fun to watch. Although the most emphasized part of the drama seems to be the relationship between the lead and secondary couple, there is no romantic chemistry; but they developed a nice friendship by the end. The drama’s synopsis end with the question: Could romance be in the cards for these two couples? The answer is yes, but the romance lacks character and definition, to say the least.

Read More

This is a really nice drama set during a historical period that offers intrigue, mystery, some comedy, great friendship with mutual trust, and a nice and steadfast romance between the main leads. In this drama, both leads are smart, equally capable, and unwavering in their love and commitment toward each other. The action scenes are well choreographed and, problems and misunderstanding are resolved quickly within a well paced plot. Both leads possess great moral qualities and remain true to their love and friends. Overall, although some acting was not the best, the cast worked well together to bring about a nice and entertaining drama. Enjoy it!
12/10/2023:
Still a high re-watch value!

Read More

“Believe in Love” is a historical romance drama with some comedic undertones that is enjoyable to watch while waiting for a great one to come. The leading couple has great romantic chemistry and nice interactions that bring out authenticity in their numerous intimate scenes. This drama could have been a great one if the last episodes were not charged with bizarre characters and plot holes towards a playful ending that could’ve been fantastic if the leading couple shows how they overcame misunderstandings and managed to remain steadfast to their love and mutual understanding instead of giving the viewers an insipid and childish happy ending that lacks substance.

Read More

This is a drama that was supposed to be great since the leading couple is cute together and, at times, have good chemistry. Although the plot was supposed to be about a first female accepted as a student at the Imperial College and her accomplishments to open the doors to other females, the drama became a game of cat and mouse chase by an obsessed second male lead with a revenge storyline that falls flat and ends without justice been done. The emperor is laughable on his decision making and the writers are worst. The leading couple’s steadfast relationship is put to the test every so often that the great feel starts to fade with each clichéd twist that is thrown at them. The chemistry between the main leads is not the worst but the male lead’s expressions lacked passion on this drama. Zhao Lu Si as Sang Qi exudes cuteness and can really express her emotions but, sadly on this drama, there’s not much to say about her romantic chemistry with the main lead. The action scenes are well choreographed and some members of the supporting cast did quite well, but the drama was basically controlled by the presence and disastrous action of a few obsessive characters. So, overall, if you choose to watch this drama, prepare yourself to a good amount of fast-forward motion since you will not miss too much of anything by doing so.

Read More