Bali

“Perfume” is an excellent production! The drama, although not perfect, is fun, heart wrenching, heartwarming, innovative, surprising, and a real treat to all the senses. The cast was phenomenal bringing their characters to life. Even though Go Won Hee performed very well as Min Ye Rin, the character that rounded the drama and gave depth to the story is really Min Jae Hee, portrayed by the amazing Ha Jae Sook, which is a very talented actress and she gave a stellar performance. Last but not least, Shin Sung Rok. His portrayal of Seo Yi Do as a quirky, sometimes childish and other times a profound and intense man brought the drama to a full circle. The drama is not about fat shaming but it shows the pain and frustration that can potentially leads a person to his/her doom when the people that you love is ashamed of you simply because you’re overweight, and also the inner struggles of this particular person about not been able to come out of the shell that she created for herself to escape the harsh reality of been shunned by your love ones and society. The drama is really romantic but it lacks passion among Seo Yi Do and Min Ye Rin on their romantic scenes. It is all much better when Seo Yi Deo is with Min Jae Hee; there is a sparkle on his eyes and so much tenderness, if only they would have share a kiss, the drama would’ve been perfectly finished showing the real love between Seo Yi Do and Min Jae Hee. Still, a great drama, enjoy it!

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This drama is a fantastic production centered on the lives and character development of a group of students enlisted in the Arsenal Military Academy. The cast did an excellent job bringing their characters to life. There is a great dynamic among the cast and the themes of conspiracy, action, military strategies, great friendships, and a cute but endearing romance between the leading couple. The academy life and its mission is the center stage on this drama. Although there’s a romance theme included, there are no romantic scenes between the leading couple, but that doesn’t make their chemistry less effective. The acting is superb and the drama keeps the audience interested and emotionally invested through its entire duration. Enjoy it!

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This is a good romantic comedy period drama. It has some really good actors and it is entertaining but it feels as if, sometimes, the actors were not giving it all. Surely, it is not only the actors fault; the drama goes from dramatic moments to comedy with some really ridiculous moments of absurdity. The lead couple’s were so much in love that, at one moment, they were willing to die for one another but, at the same time, it was ridiculous how immature and flippant was their mutual trust. Although the drama is supposed to be about the “perfect couple”, it had too many insufferable moments which hinder the lead couple’s chemistry. Overall, it is a good watch and the main antagonist did a great job. Enjoy it!

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Although it is a good drama with enough tension and suspense, the development of the revenge plot was weak and the series' dramatic tone and mood was too somber with little changes on the main characters’ demeanor. Jung Yoo Mi as Chae Yeo Kyung and Chun Jung Myung as Moo Myung did not performed to the standard of main lead characters and their chemistry was way off. I must say that Park Tae Ha (Lee Sang Yeob) and Kim Da Hae (Gong Seung Yeon) really saved this drama. Also, Jo Hee Bong as Doggoo was great!SPOILER ALERT: Also, the poignant and unnecessary death of Kim Dae Hae ruined the drama for me!

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This is a great and brilliant intrigue drama that uses the paparazzi world as the backdrop to a very powerful story. Paparazzi are independent photographers who take pictures of high-profile individual from all walks of life and sell them to the highest bidder from media outlets that focus on tabloid journalism and sensationalism. The drama poses the reality of how greed, power, money, and ambition lead people to manipulate social media to move the masses from left to right and vice versa while utilizing pictures taken by paparazzi to bribe and control powerful people. It will be safe to say that in this drama the idiom "A picture is worth a thousand words" describes perfectly the drive behind the drama’s plot. The cast did a fantastic job bringing these complex characters to life. The story is well written and the dialogue is smart and powerful. Although there is a strong attraction and complicated circumstances that bring the lead couple together, there is no romantic storyline, but the leading man’s persona holds the drama together. Enjoy it!

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This drama is pure perfection! What a rollercoaster full of the most painful, heartwarming, and beautiful emotions among the different characters. Kudos to the writer and to those who work so hard to bring to life the struggles, memories, and life stories that go untold about the survivors of catastrophic events. The cast did a splendid job bringing these characters to life to give us a glimpse into the different views, feelings, and perspectives of those that are left behind. Last, but not least, Junho gave a stellar performance as Lee Kang-Doo, and Won Jin-A, as Ha Moon-Soo, was not far behind. Also, what a great character delivery from Kim Kang Hyun as Sang Man. Enjoy this drama, it is really outstanding!

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This is an outstanding period drama! Everything in this drama is excellent; director, producer, writer, editor... the cinematography, customs, great OST, beautiful and precised choreography, locations, and above all, the performances. There are no disappointments in the selection of the cast; supporting actors were magnificent and the lead couple was stellar. Yang Mi’s rendition of the female heroine Meng Fuyao was delivered to perfection and Ethan Ruan, as Zhangsun Wuji, gave a very powerful depiction bringing to life a very complex character. The chemistry between the lead couple was perfect as they worked together to bring the immense array of emotions that stem from their love for each other and the circumstances that they encountered. Although the romance was full of tender and beautiful sentiment, there are two very powerful performances by both leads, episodes 34 and 66, what a great display of talent! Enjoy it!
Rewatched 11/2023: Still grandiose!

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This drama is a fantastic fantasy romance comedy set within a historical background. The actors did a superb job bringing their characters to life and it was thrilling to see how Shin Hye Su, as queen Kim So Yong and chef Jang Bong Hwan, embodied the duality of her character and gave the audience a well rounded character that will make the viewer laughed, surprised, and, at many times, heartbroken. Needless to say, there is also Kim Jung Hyun that gave a stellar performance as King Cheol Jong and had an electrifying chemistry with the leading lady; never a dull moment when they were together on screen. This drama was so well casted with leading and supporting characters that performed excellently to bring about a very interesting, funny, sometimes poignant, and memorable drama. Enjoy it!

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This drama has gotten bad reviews on MDL but the drama deserves better. It is not an epical drama but it delivers suitable performances on the thematic of historical, romance, and fantasy. The cast did a good job delivering their given characters as they were written so, if their acting is to be criticized, one must question why the writers and directors made such characterizations. This drama does not intend to bring era factual events; it is solely to satisfy fantasy historical drama followers with a nice romance. The romantic plot is not earth shattering, but it does give the loving and endearing feeling of a good romance that started with a cute but unforgettable encounter for the leading couple when they were children; and the leading couple has good chemistry. The OST is fantastic and there’s great cinematography. Overall, the drama is really entertaining!

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Lovely Swords Girl is a light period wuxia drama that, although the actors shine on their dramatic moments, the leading lady, Yu Shengyou, is insufferable for most of the drama’s duration. She is headstrong and stubborn, loud and unruly, and, with the excuse that she’s young and doesn’t know what love is, she drags two male leads that, for 24 episodes, do nothing more than show her love, protection, and understanding. Although the drama depicts a love triangle, there’s no consistent chemistry among the leading males and Yu Shengyou. This drama is good to watch without high expectations while the viewers wait for a better one to come! There are some aspects of the drama that are worth watching: the great dynamics and unwavering love and support among the Gong family, Yu Shengyou and her faithful maid strong friendship and reciprocal support, the younger Gong brother and their love interest, Yu Shengyou’s father and the Gong’s parents. Must mention that Yang Shi Ze, as Gong Yuan Xiu, delivered a great performance as both the reserved and steadfast male lead and the fool Yuan Xiu.

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This drama is a magnificent production. Love and Destiny seems to be a spinoff of Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms with a story about a destined love that spans across three lifetimes. On this drama, the cast, story, cinematography, costumes, music ... everything is done with finesses. There is great chemistry among the cast and between the leading couple. Although most of the romantic scenes could’ve been better, the feelings are beautiful and the imagery appeals to all your senses. The main and supporting cast did a great job bringing their characters to life and the leading actress is exceptional as she conveys all kinds of emotions. There are some clichés that were not needed, but overall, the drama is fantastic and very entertaining. Enjoy!

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Title: Ten Years of Unrequited Love is a very well done miniseries with He Chang Xi (as Cen Si Yuan) and Ji Shu Yi (as Lin Miao Miao) in the leading couple’s role. The cast did a good job bringing their characters to life and the lead couple has a very good romantic chemistry. Loving and waiting for someone for ten years is a bit far fetched but the male lead really carries this drama with his unapologetic and forceful nature because he knows very well that it will take a physical and emotional collusion to break down the female lead’s barriers. It must be noticed that the lead couple was in a deep and loving relationship for two years before his mother took advantage of the female lead’s miserable circumstances to separate them. Beside some irrational decisions from the leading lady and the male lead’s mother, once the male lead comes to know the real circumstances of the female lead’s decisions, he well knows that been nice and patient was not a choice to wake up the female lead’s stubborn determination to fulfill her promise. It is captivating to see the male lead’s determination to fight his mother’s misguided and cruel reasons to justified her actions.
There are some viewers that felt really sorry for the second female lead but, besides the fact that there is not enough background about her character and the type of connection that she had with the male lead before coming back with him, it becomes obvious that, although she cared about him, she had ulterior motives to be with him and it was not that she really loved him the reason to become vindictive, but the male lead knew that he should not have used her to provoke the female lead. (All of these becomes funnily clear at the end when she encounters Den Qi Han and his son at the hospital!)
The time frame for the train wreck is about three months and everything becomes clear from episode 18 to 24 that causes the male lead to become more proactive than ever and it is obvious to the viewer that he had a plan B concocted with the female lead’s sister to finally put an end to their misery. The lead couple is a testament to steadfast and rebounding love and the male lead’s resoluteness gives her the will and the strength to move forward with him. The male lead’s character also becomes more understandable on the last 4 episodes.
Overall, taking in consideration that this is not a full length drama, the plot is well developed, the lead couple has a riveting romance, and the drama is entertaining, enjoy it!
In the meantime, this drama can be found on viki.com.

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This is a very nice, light romantic comedy with great feelings. Don’t expect too much from The Rules of Love Season 1 since it is just the preemptive tale of how the lead couple meet and a series of unfortunate events developed that will get the couple together. For The Rules of Love Season 2, the love story starts to develop and characters start to fall into place. The drama is nice and the romance is light but the leading couple has good chemistry. What stand out on this drama is the overall sense of sincerity on the character’s feelings and the camaraderie. Last episode of Season 2 ends with “to be continued hinting to a Season 3. If you are looking for something nice to watch until a great one comes, this is entertaining. Enjoy it!

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