Meari21

Another Live Action Iteration I Shouldn't Have Watched

I finally managed to finish Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar after trying several times. Unfortunately, my initial assumptions were right, this is a dumpster fire of a movie that should never have been created. It is an insult to Arakawa Hiromu's manga and a slap in the face to FMA fans everywhere. The first one was already a tragic anomaly much like the disturbing chimera that was Nina Tucker and her dog, but this is not even a successfully created homunculus, it's nothing more than a distorted version of the author's original version.

Most of the cast members are capable actors in their own right, but they do not fit their respective roles, not even in the slightest. Yamada Ryosuke is so ill-fitting for the role of Edward Elric that I rolled my eyes every time he tried to do Ed's “angry chibi” mode. Just because he's short like Ed doesn't make him suitable for the part. Mackenyu as Scar is tolerable but still ridiculous. Mackenyu sporting a “brown” face was too much for me to bear. He just did what he could with what he was given, though. Fujioka Dean may be handsome but he is NOT Roy Mustang, faaaaaaaarrr from it! He practically does nothing except look cool and that is not the character I know from the manga and anime. Honda Tsubasa is painful to watch as Winry Rockbell. Whoever thought this girl can act must be high on drugs. I've seen her in quite a few projects already and she has the acting skills of a potato. Watanabe Keisuke as Ling was alright, probably the best casting decision they made for this movie because Ling is supposed to have Asian features and one of the few characters in the story who should be played by an Asian. The rest of the cast are even more 2D than their 2D counterparts, the anime characters have more depth imho.

The action scenes are laughable, so many cuts in the scenes that you hardly see the movements at all. Don't even get me started on the special effects. *groan* I promised myself to try and enjoy these live action movies but I simply can't. The plot is all over the place. Characters appear out of nowhere and they have their own agenda but their subplots don't add up and come together at the end. I'm convinced the writers smoked weed when they wrote this shit and it was the bad kind of weed, too.

Sorry, but this is a prime example of what NOT to do when making a live action version of a popular anime. I'm not one of those people who thinks anime should never be made into live action as I've enjoyed some live action iterations in the past. But this is not it. It's not because of the goofiness of the anime, it's the horrible writing, execution, casting, and acting. And most of all, it should remain largely faithful to the source material despite some of the changes that need to be made for this medium. However, most of these live actions are just money grabs and are done by people who have no love for the original material. These movies should be burned and forgotten, or better yet, exiled beyond the Gate to be tormented for eternity.

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The Best Godzilla Movie Since The Original

I saw the theatrical version earlier this year but I waited to see the black and white version to write a film review, so this is technically a review of both versions. Godzilla Minus One is a cinematic achievement, especially since it was made with a meager budget at just under 15 million USD, but it made at least quadruple that worldwide. Many have praised it as the best Godzilla movie since the original 1954 version and I am inclined to agree as I've seen quite a few Godzilla movies that came after both made in Japan and Hollywood, and they simply don't measure up to this movie helmed by Yamazaki Takashi.

This Godzilla goes back to its 1950's roots and is set in a war-torn Japan, centering around a dishonored kamikaze pilot suffering from PTSD. The black and white version really brings you back to that era and I found that it gave everything a more sinister look to it, making it more frightening. The story deals with the horrors of war and how nations at war throw away the lives of their people as if they're trash that needs to be disposed. It also questions the need for people to sacrifice their lives for honor and country, and why honor means you must obey orders even though it is clearly wrong. It throws shade at how the Japanese government mishandled the war and treated its people poorly. It's a story of despair but it's also about hope and starting over. I was specifically moved by how two of the characters in this movie went from hating the central character because he failed to die to save his countrymen, to urging him to live and believing that he deserves a second chance at happiness. This movie doesn't lack heroism either. The valor shown by the Japanese people who just survived a disastrous war as they fight for their futures made me tear up a bit. As the Cap said, he doesn't like doing the dirty work but somebody's got to do it.

It's an almost perfect film from the moving story and well-written and relatable characters, to a beautifully designed and terrifying Godzilla that's just a force of nature. The visual effects could've been better but considering how much money they spent on creating them, they accomplished quite a feat. I especially loved the sequence where they were being chased by Godzilla in the water. That was definitely a nod to Steven Spielberg's Jaws. Sure, there are some suspend your disbelief type of stuff in this movie, but they're forgivable because the movie as a whole is a beautifully orchestrated symphony that can move you to tears, stir up anger in you, strike fear, and make you feel that there is good in humanity still. Amidst the darkness and ugliness of war, there is beauty in life and human connections. The greatest lesson that can be gleaned from this story is that as long as there is life, there is hope.

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A Moving Story Told From The Eyes Of A Cat

I originally wanted to read the book version of The Travelling Cat Chronicles or Tabineko Ripoto, but when I found out Sota Fukushi is playing the lead in this movie adaptation, I thought it might be worth my while. And true enough, it was! The movie is narrated by a cat named Nana and he tells the story of his life with his human, Satoru. It starts out pretty light and funny, so I mistakenly thought it was one of those feel-good stories. Halfway through the movie, I already had an inkling that it's more than that. And boy, I ended up doing my ugly cry! I kept thinking about my dog and how he would feel if he had to sit and wait for me every single day and not see me or even hear my voice anymore. I wonder if he'd look for me. Those who have ever owned pets or loved animals like me have always dreaded the time when we have to say goodbye to our beloved best friends or children, but very few of us have ever thought how devastating it would be for them to not have us around anymore. This movie explores that and it's written from the point of view of the cat, making it all the more touching and emotional. I recommend this movie to all cat lovers or pet owners in general, provided of course that you're in the right mindset.

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Kudaranai!

Ajin is a prime example of what happens when movie producers, writers, and filmmakers don't respect the original material and just create a live action adaptation of a popular manga/anime series for the cash grab. I can think of only one word for the movie, “kudaranai”, which means pointless. Although it has a great cast of actors, none of them (except one) are appropriate for the parts. With the exception of Tamayama Tetsuji as Tosaki, the rest of the cast don't look or act like the characters in the original series. Nagai Kei is supposedly a 17-year-old high school student aspiring to become a doctor and yet they chose to cast a nearly 30-year-old Sato Takeru. Instead of casting a suitable actor for the part, they changed the character into a 26-year-old med student to fit the actor they've chosen. I would have been fine with this change if they had bothered to actually give depth to the character and explained his motivations instead of just making him an unusually intelligent young man whose intentions are not quite clear.

Nagai is not your garden variety ajin, his IBM and black ghost first appeared when he was just a baby so he has an excessive amount of the stuff, allowing him to call upon his black ghost multiple times unlike most ajin. He also has low emotional intelligence, making him almost emotionless, cold, and indifferent. But he's incredibly smart and observant, allowing him to think more logically and strategically. None of those things are explored in the movie. Shirota Yuu as Tanaka is just a waste. With the way they wrote the character, he could have been played by basically anyone, there was no need for them to hire a popular actor. Shimomura is reduced to a mere sidekick, not one bit of character background is given. But my biggest disappointment is Sato. Ayano Go may be one of the most popular actors in Japan these days but his acting talents simply cannot make anyone believe he's actually an elderly man. Sato is not even Japanese! His real name is Samuel T. O'Brien (Owen in the manga), Sato is just the name he used when he came to Japan. He was born in the 50's and he's a war veteran with exceptional combat skills. He also appears to be a friendly and kind old man, that's why Nagai initially trusted him. He may be brutal and calculating but on the surface, he seems calm and respectable. By changing the age of the character, they completely scrapped this aspect of his persona. Ayano's portrayal comes off as psychopathic and warlike, the complexities of the character lost in his John Wick-like gun-fu. It's probably one of the worst casting choices I've ever seen.

Tamayama Tetsuji's portrayal of Tosaki is the only thing that remotely reminds me of the source material. But even his character has no real depth, his motivations are also unclear. The rest of the characters are as pointless as this movie, just mere fodder. The special effects are decent but could have been better. Why Japanese film producers continue to hire the same old popular actors instead of holding auditions and finding the perfect actors for the roles, escapes me. I am now utterly convinced that the anime stage play productions are so much better at adapting anime/manga series for they really try to remain faithful to the source material and cast the most appropriate actors they can find.

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The Dragon Boy and His Mortal Beloved

For a xianxia idol drama, Back From The Brink is pretty good. In fact, I was happily surprised by how good it is. I actually expected it to crash and burn so badly I would have difficulty finishing it. Well, it did crash and burn right at the end, but it was good for the most part, in my opinion, so I'm not too disappointed. After all, I didn't expect much from this as it is an idol drama and I just wanted a light and fluffy romance to cleanse my palate. Little did I know that I would like it so much and even shed a tear or two because of the emotional beats and well-acted scenes.

The story revolves around a powerful dragon spirit named Tianyao who was isolated in his kingdom for a thousand years, so he was oblivious to the struggles of his fellow spirits. In this fantasy world, spirits and humans are mortal enemies and lowly spirits are hunted and enslaved by the powerful Taoist cultivators. Think wizards and witches enslaving demons to become their familiars and do their bidding by using magical spells and traps. Tianyao falls in love with a human woman named Suying, who covets his dragon scales as they can grant immortality. She eventually betrays him and renders him disabled and almost at the brink of death. In his desperation, he manages to take his heart scale containing his inner core and throw it into space to prevent the woman from completely stealing his powers. His heart scale falls into the hands of a young child born with a heart defect and it miraculously heals her, allowing her to grow up into a healthy young woman named Yanhui. She grows up to become a cultivator herself, but one who doesn't understand the hostility between humans and spirits, so she is deemed a traitor by her own kind. Without his dragon powers, Tianyao is forced to take his human form and live without his powers as a mortal. He crosses paths with Yanhui and enlists her help in finding his missing dragon parts that were scattered all over the mortal world by Suying. This is how their journey starts and as the story progresses, more secrets are revealed, and I did enjoy some of the plot twists. I was attracted to the plot because it initially reminded me of the love story between Haku and Chihiro in Spirited Away. There's something about a dragon boy falling for a human girl that just gets me.

The production value of this drama is nothing to write home about, it is after all a low-budget series with clunky CGI, passable cinematography, and cheap-looking sets. But I didn't mind because it suited the vibe of the drama for some reason. The CGI used for the fight scenes are not too bad, though. I rather liked the dragon fire special effects. But the music is awesome! The opening theme has an Evanescence sound to it and the ending theme by Liu Yuning is perfection! I also liked Hou Minghao's contribution to the soundtrack.

The writing, though, could've been better. It has great world-building and the social commentary about racism and discrimination is a good addition. There are also very moving moments in the drama that can make you tear up and some beautiful life lessons worth pondering on. But the positives end there, I'm afraid. The drama starts strong but falls off somewhat in the middle and then completely goes off the rails at the end. For the life of me, I don't understand why they had to end it like that. But I have to give the writers props for tying up some loose ends. Just when I thought something is an obvious plot hole, they come up with something that kinda explains things and makes it logical... sort of. Not to say that there are no plot holes at all because there are plenty and I still had to suspend my disbelief several times. It's just a shame because this drama had the potential to be soooo much better.

As for the acting, I really loved Zhou Ye in this. She is one of the few Chinese actresses that I find undeniably pretty and not annoying (thank god!). Although I think she still has a long way to go in terms of acting skills, I believe she did well as Yanhui and I rooted for her all the way! She has great comedic timing, too. I love her with Hou Minghao! I swear, they are a match made in heaven! The moment I saw them together, I felt their palpable chemistry. I don't think I will be able to see them paired with other people without complaining that they just don't fit right with anyone else. At first, I didn't think much about Minghao's acting but he eventually proved that he has some acting chops hidden somewhere just waiting to be uncovered. Then there's the fact that he is quite dashing. He and Zhou Ye make a gorgeous couple. I just loved seeing them onscreen. The rest of the cast are very good as well, no complaints here. The villains are so good that I wanted to kill Suying and her vile sister. Suying could've been made a sympathetic villain instead of a complete lunatic, though. When the truth is finally revealed, I actually felt some sort of pity for her. But she could've been written and portrayed in a way that would've made her more relatable. So again, this is a problem with the writing.

But as a whole, this was a good watch. I had fun watching this and I fell in love with Tianyao and Yanhui. I loved immersing myself in this world and I felt sad leaving it. I just wish they had tapped into its full potential because the story is solid, the characters are layered and interesting, and the world that the original author created is rich with lore. But just the same, I will miss my dragon boy and his mortal beloved.

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Of Chocolates, Mental Illness, and Love Connections

I've been looking forward to this the moment the project was announced so I'm happy to report that I'm not disappointed. It is the best J-drama I've seen in quite some time. I have been avoiding J-dramas in general because I can't seem to understand its appeal anymore, something about their low-budget production quality, directing style, and acting that no longer meets my standards. Netflix-produced J-dramas, however, seem to be several notches higher than their network/cable TV produced counterparts, and this is no different. In fact, it has some of the best productions I've seen in a Japanese drama, period.

While this is a remake of a French-Belgian movie, at its core, it is still a J-drama through and through, from its formulaic and cliched but heartwarming story to its endearing characters and life lessons. The focus on the chocolate-making industry is also typical of a J-drama. The professions of the characters are almost always highlighted and treated like another character in the story and that's something that I've always appreciated. As a chocoholic, I couldn't be happier.

The main characters, Sosuke and Hana, are endearing albeit imperfect and lacking in many ways. That one episode in which they searched for the “God Send” cacao fruit perfectly encapsulates what this drama is all about. A rotten fruit that is meant to be discarded can produce one of the best tasting chocolates known to man. Even an awfully flawed person can still do some good and achieve greatness. I love that symbolism!

I also love how everything is interconnected and that every episode features different stories of people, their heartaches, their triumphs, and their love for chocolate. I'm glad that they showed how debilitating scopophobia and OCD can be. Mental illness is as real as the air we breathe and shouldn't be taken lightly. People do struggle with these disorders every single day of their lives and more movies or dramas should feature them to raise awareness. I do like the group counselling scenes. They are enlightening as well as moving. Yes, it's predictable and tropey, but it's still good entertainment. Not every drama should flip tropes over their heads and contain plot twists to be enjoyable or good. Some just need the right recipe to satisfy one's palate.

My only real beef with the drama is the storyline of the second couple. I honestly don't think it's necessary. It feels out of place to me. Or maybe it's just not as well written as the main couple's that I found it incredibly lacking and unsatisfactory. So both of them also struggle with emotional problems of their own, I get that. But how did they meet exactly? How did they fall in love? What actually happened between them? I can only assume they met through Sosuke?I have so many questions. Even the way they got back together in the end felt rushed and forced. I feel like this was missing at least one episode because they skipped the mont matcha in the Rainbow Palette box. Maybe that was supposed to show more of their history together and also tell us why it was Sosuke in the kendo dojo sparring with Hana instead of Hiro.

Romantics Anonymous is by no means a perfect drama. If you're not used to the quirkiness and style of Japanese dramas, then you'd probably have more things to nitpick on and complain about. But I did enjoy this immensely. I may be biased as I'm an Oguri Shun fan and food dramas are right up my alley, but this really hit the spot. I've been mostly disappointed with J-dramas of late so this was a welcome change. I'm glad they decided to make this and I hope they will do another season with Sakaguchi Kentaro and Song Joong Ki. I will surely check that one out too.

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The Obliteration of the Samurai

Last Samurai Standing is about an impoverished and struggling ronin just trying to make ends meet in the Meiji era where the samurai class had been abolished, wearing swords is considered illegal, and the remnants of his kind are shunned and treated like scum. Saga Shujiro is a former distinguished retainer of the powerful Satsuma clan that helped restore the Meiji rule in Japan and defeated the Tokugawa shogunate. He is betrayed and discarded like trash by the very people he reinstated in power. In a world where the samurai have become as obsolete as their katana and code of honor, they are forced to resort to drastic means just to survive, including engaging in a deadly game orchestrated by those in power.

At a glance, this seems like a simple story about people killing each other for survival. But it really is not. This doesn't only have a historical setting but also features known figures in Japanese history. Lord Okubo, the Home Minister was a real person who led the Satsuma clan during the Boshin War. He was named the Home Minister of the Meiji empire and helped shape the future of the country with his ideals and accomplishments. Unfortunately, with change always comes resistance and though he quelled many rebellions (many were led by his former associates), he ultimately couldn't escape assassination by his own former comrades. That segment of Japanese history is the core of this drama. It is also the reason why the “Kodoku” exists. The abhorrence for the samurai and the old ways stems from their inability to accept and adapt to change as well as their gruesome history of bloodshed, unsquashable belief in their code, and their previous position as the elite military class of feudal Japan that they so vehemently abused. There is no unfounded hatred for them, they were hated as much as they were revered. Kawaji most likely suffered or have seen people suffer from the hands of the samurai who demanded respect from peasants and ordinary folk. I do not condone his actions but I do understand his hatred.

The Zaibatsu or the four powerful oligarchs involved in the Kodoku are based on real power hungry families who had a hand in governing the new Meiji empire. They were most likely in favor of obliterating the samurai considering their positions in government and their desire for reform. The death game aspect in Last Samurai Standing is merely a tool to demonstrate the lengths that this new government took to rid itself of its former military class in order to modernize Japan. I just wish they had written them in a less caricature-ish way, though.

The rest of the characters are more complex, thankfully. Shujiro is not your typical hero. In fact, he's flawed, cowardly, and selfish. He left his siblings to fend for themselves because he was afraid. He fought under the Meiji banner with the goal of reforming his country, but he was betrayed, lost allies, and drifted away into obscurity. He started a family but is on the verge of losing them to another enemy, the cholera epidemic that hit Japan. He wanted only to save himself and his family until he met a young girl who reminded him of his dead daughter. So no, he didn't join the Kodoku to save his village. Far from it. Even Kanjiya is not your cookie cutter villain either. In a time when warriors that were bred to do just one thing, which is to kill, lose their purpose, they struggle to find their place in the world and refuse to accept a world that no longer needs them. Sakura is also an interesting character, a former samurai who decided to help oligarchs eliminate his own brethren. His story has yet to be revealed.

While the plot may be more straightforward with little to no twists, I don't think it's that predictable. For one, some characters that were played by prominent actors were killed off almost immediately after being built up to be potential contenders in the game. So really, how did they know who will die exactly? Not to mention Tsuge's character is still a mystery. Do people who say that it's predictable actually know his plan? Who is he? What kind of twists do they want to see? That Saga Shujiro is actually the mastermind? I just can't with some of the comments and reviews of this drama that I've seen on MDL and Reddit. lol

Yes, it's no Shogun, I've been telling people that from the start. But it's not like any other death game story either. It is not a Squid Game-wannabe. In fact, the “death game” concept was popularized in Japan as early as the 1990's, reaching global heights in 2000 with the highly acclaimed Battle Royale. It doesn't rip off from Squid Game. If anything, it's Squid Game that follows this Japanese trend. But that's another argument.

It's also not Rurouni Kenshin. Although the setting is the same and both main characters were former retainers of powerful clans who supported the Meiji restoration, Shujiro is no Kenshin. He doesn't have a strong “no-kill” code and he's not idealistic or self-righteous. He became a samurai because he was raised as one and that's all he knows unlike Kenshin who had a traumatic childhood that drove him to pursue fighting for the weak and affecting change. The fights in this are visceral, bloody, and undeniably brutal that mirrors the horror of Feudal Japan. The fight choreography is more grounded and less stylized, very reminiscent of samurai films of old.

The cast is perfection! Okada Junichi channels a young Sanada Hiroyuki with every swagger and precise strike of his sword. Ito Hideaki is almost unrecognizable as the monstrous Kanjiya, fully immersing himself in the role and probably having a blast with it. Almost all of the cast members are highly popular actors. If you're familiar with J-entertainment, you could probably recognize all of them. lol

This is a well-produced and excellently acted drama that deserves more praise than it's getting. I would recommend it to anyone who has an ounce of interest in Japanese history and samurai culture. Action-fans will no doubt find this enjoyable too. It is now the number 1 most watched show on Netflix globally so a season two is certain at this point. The only question is, when will it come out?

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A Live Action Remake That Could've Been Better

Let me start by saying that I really enjoyed the anime version of Oshi No Ko. I thought it had an interesting enough concept and I loved that they showed the dark reality of the showbiz industry in Japan. But this live action version is a hot mess. I only watched this out of curiosity because I wanted to know how they'd adapt certain aspects of the story. I haven't read the manga so I don't know how it ends. I heard the ending is divisive to say the least. We'll see.

The story is about the most popular J-pop idol, her life, her achievements, her children and the people she affected, and her tragic death. But it also has bits of magical realism and fantastical elements in it since there's a reincarnation angle. Anyways, I can't really delve further into the plot because I've already spoiled a lot just by giving a brief background. Let's just say that the story is full of twists and turns, intrigues, scheming characters, murders, and disturbing events. In other words, it has a lot going on.

The anime did quite well in juggling all this, but the drama, with just 8 episodes in total, didn't. In fact, it nearly made it unwatchable for me. Like practically every anime live action done in Japan, it tries too hard to be like its animated counterpart and that's why most live action adaptations fail. Having (supposedly) naturally blonde-haired Japanese characters is way too uncanny valley for me. They look so unnatural in their blonde wigs, like dollar-store cosplayers attending an anime convention for kicks. The plot progression is weird and confusing with exposition dumps and mostly narration ruining the flow of the story and making it downright cheesy.

Thankfully, the acting was mostly good. I did like the two female leads and the actresses they chose to play them. The male lead is kinda cute. He reminds me so much of the Chinese actor, Xiao Zhan, so I can't complain. I hate how they infantalize women in this, though. I understand that many of them are teens. But come on! Do Japanese teens actually act and speak with annoying baby voices like grade school kids?! Yes, I know that's how it is in the manga and anime, but you see, this is live action where realism is important to sell your story and make it more relatable to the general audience. Japanese filmmakers/writers, in general, seem to have missed that fact. If only (mostly) fans of the source material, J-drama fans, and domestic viewers can understand and appreciate it, then it's not very well made. This is why Japanese media, for the most part, aren't suited for international consumption. They tend to stick to their own style of filmmaking and storytelling, and focus on creating content solely for their local audience.

I'm also disappointed that they took out certain parts and replaced them with far inferior substitutes. One very good example of this is their decision to not adapt the 2.5D stage play and turn it into a drama instead. I understand that the auditorium where the play was held no longer exists in Japan so they can't film there anymore, but they could've just used a regular stage. Stage play adaptations of manga/anime are massively popular in Japan. The drama could've capitalized on that and even promoted them to overseas fans by showcasing that industry in this drama. That was actually one of my favorite parts of the anime because it gave me a glimpse of how stage productions are done in Japan. Instead, they turned Tokyo Blade into a cheap live action drama and gave the actors uninspired and awful-looking costumes. They even changed the story of Tokyo Blade. Was it because of budget constraints? I don't know. I just can't get behind this change.

The dialogues are copy paste from the source material. But most of them fell flat for me because the scenes just didn't have the same impact as the ones in the anime. The payoff wasn't quite there either. The music I just didn't care for. Save for some of the rock songs used for the opening and ending themes, the music is utterly forgettable. As a matter of fact, I had to skip some of the “music video” type scenes because they felt so out of place imho.

This live action drama could've been brilliant if they had done it justice, made it more grounded and realistic, and had a better script, not to mention a more capable director at the helm. But sadly, it pales in comparison to the anime because it doesn't try to do something uniquely different. I wouldn't have minded slight changes to the plot and characterizations as long as they could make it work. They also crammed way too much stuff in just 8 episodes, making the drama feel rushed and underdeveloped. This is your garden variety live action adaptation that further justifies the idea that some things should not be turned into live action at all.

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Political Satire Done Right

Good News is a political satire of the true events that transpired during the Japan Airlines hijacking in 1970. It's an excellent mix of dark humor and melodrama, which I found to be absolutely hilarious and painfully moving at the same time. I found myself chuckling and laughing out loud at the funny quips and slapstick comedy quite a few times, and shaking my head in frustration at the universal absurdity of government politics. Damn, and I thought my country was a shithole like no other! Hahaha! But for a wannabe political analyst who thrives studying political science and watching political dramas, this was a fascinating watch! This certainly has the vibe, uniqueness, and boldness of Korean cinema of old.

It stars some of the best and brightest of Korea and Japan, and I was as thrilled as I was surprised to see them share the screen together. I'm glad they actually cast well-known Japanese actors to play the Japanese roles instead of just hiring locals to play these parts. It certainly helped sell the story they were telling.

Of course, the standout to me was Hong Kyung. Who would've thought that the scrawny nerdy kid in Weak Hero would turn out to be a dashing multilingual soldier showing off his cowboy swagger, comedic timing, and dramatic acting chops with just a wave of his hand?! I won't be surprised if this is the role that finally gives him the chance to become a bonafide leading man.

I had a blast (pun intended) watching this. I would definitely want to watch it again one of these days. I'm so happy I stumbled upon this. I hope to see more movies like this from Korea in the future.

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The Weaker Hero

I'm going to start by saying that this second season is good but is nowhere near as good as the first in terms of plot, storytelling, character development, and even action. But having said that, I actually enjoyed this season more. Why? Because it's not as somber and depressing as the first. The characters in this are actually more endearing, even the villains, though not as compelling as the baddies in the first. The friendship between the mains is real and wholesome, and they are written as such that they are more ideal and less flawed. The action scenes are more fun and, I daresay, far more unrealistic that you just have to turn off your brain so you won't question every last bit. But the things I enjoyed in this season are the reasons why I think it's inferior.

There is a lack of development in the characters other than Si Eun. Baku is sort of interesting but he's nothing more than a cookie cutter good guy who wants to protect his loved ones and does everything loud and big to the point that it becomes annoying at times. I think Ryeoun is miscast in this, btw. He's basically playing another version of Suho and he just doesn't have the energy and charisma that Hyun Wook has to make it fully work. The villains are lackluster as well, especially Bae Na Ra as Baek Jin. His pseudo backstory and the writers seemingly wanting the viewers to have more empathy for him because he was bullied and donates money to an orphanage is forced and lazy. Just show us that he's not as bad as he seems, you don't need to tell us. Interestingly, the villain that pulled more weight is Seongje played by Lee Jun Young. Despite having zero backstory and limited screen time, Jun Young actually brought a lot of nuance to his portrayal of the role. He struck me as a kind of Loki or Joker. You don't really need to know about what happened to him in the past and what made him like that or truly understand his motivations because his unpredictability and presence are what really matters. He was the best part of this season save for Jihoon imho. His fight scene with Jihoon is hands down the best fight sequence this season, very reminiscent of the fights in the first. Not to mention that their chemistry is just undeniably palpable. I would love to see them star in another project one day.

Speaking of Jihoon, I didn't like the fact that his character, Si Eun, was sidelined and the spotlight momentarily shifted to Baku. The story revolves around him, without him, there is no Weak Hero. Sure, the other characters deserve screen time too, but not at the expense of Si Eun. He was purposely sidelined to lift the other characters up. A good writer doesn't need to do that to give importance to the other characters as well. This was bad writing tbh. This didn't happen in the first season so I don't know what the writers were smoking when they did this.

The plot by itself is not even half as interesting as I thought it would be. And the fact that they made the main villain flat and less compelling made this season weaker as a whole. Yes, it's more enjoyable for most people because it features more popular actors and the characters are written to be less imperfect so you feel like cheering for them more. But it's the imperfections of a character and the grit of the story that makes a drama better because it makes it more real and thought-provoking. Those are the things that the first season has that this season doesn't. Weak Hero Class 2 is but a shell of its predecessor.

Some say that we shouldn't compare the two because these are different seasons. Yes, they are different seasons but they're supposed to be part of the same story, the main character is the same, and as far as I know the team behind it is mostly the same. So there's no reason to expect it to be wholly different in tone, writing, and characterization. They should be compared, and anyone who says otherwise just doesn't want to see anything negative about anything or maybe they simply have their own preferences. The thing is, people don't think the same way and there will always be people who will criticize something you love. Besides, constructive criticism is necessary for improvement. If they ever make a third season, I hope they can make adjustments and produce a better season than this.

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The Superhero Series We Deserve

Moving is the K-drama and slightly better version of Heroes in terms of writing and characterization. In fact, it is the superhero series we deserve and one that Marvel and DC wish they had concocted themselves. It's one of the best written K-dramas ever made, that's for sure! It boasts of a riveting plot, relatable characters, and visceral action scenes that are downright brutal and reminiscent of Oldboy.

It centers around two generations of people born with superhuman abilities. The plot thickens when agents from opposing organizations start hunting down the previous generation of these “gifted” humans and eliminating them one by one. As the story progresses, the secrets and political conspiracies and machinations of those in charge are uncovered, revealing a plot so sinister that goes all the way to the top.

What I like most about this drama is how the characters were written. None of them are insignificant to the plot, each of them play a part in the story and they're all given their day in the sun no matter how small their roles are. Even the villains are humanized, making them more sympathetic and relatable. Come to think of it, there are no real bad guys in this drama. Each of them are given clear motivations so although you may disagree with their choices, you learn to understand them when you put yourselves in their shoes. And of course, the fact that actors were superbly cast to play these characters contributes to their overall appeal.

The production quality of this series is something that I wish to see in all K-dramas. The production team didn't build a “fantastical” world filled with designer-brand-obsessed people, annoying and laughable product placements, and meticulously curated fancy sets that defy logic and realism to create the illusion of luxury and wealth even when the characters are supposed to be poor. This K-drama formula has always bothered me and turned me off, so whenever I find dramas such as this, I thank my lucky stars because they are few and far between. The world of Moving has none of those, it is gritty and grounded despite the fact that the drama is a fantasy. It shows you the good, the bad, and the ugly side of humanity and the imperfect world they live in.

As I've said, all the characters are great. None of them are wasted. None are mere fodder. But I just have to mention Lee Mihyun, Kim Bongseok's mother. She is the epitome of a great female character. She's badass and highly intelligent and she makes smart use of her powers. But she's also undeniably flawed and vulnerable. She's no Mary Sue. She gets hurt, she miscalculates, she makes the wrong decisions. She's a loving and concerned mother who would die for her son and she's also a wife who's longing for her husband. She's proof that you can write a tough and uncompromising female character without giving her masculine qualities and taking away her femininity. Pay attention, Hollywood! This is how you write a true girl boss!

I seriously can't heap enough praises on this series. I would've given it a perfect 10 if I didn't feel like some parts dragged a bit and wish that they could've written certain episodes differently. Also, I found some of the powers kinda dull and repetitive. But that's just me. That is totally subjective so take it with a grain of salt. If you still haven't seen this drama, go watch it now. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-written story. If you're a fan of the superhero genre, this is a must-watch.

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Star-crossed

My Journey to You is a dark wuxia drama about a doomed romance between a spy and her ultimate target. It follows Yun Weishan, an orphaned girl taken and trained by a mysterious criminal organization called Wufeng. Her mission was to infiltrate an enemy clan and gather information about the enigmatic and secretive Gongs. But she fails her mission the moment she falls for Gong Zi Yu, the Sword Wielder and chief of the clan, causing her to question her own motives, feelings, and loyalty towards Wufeng.

Yu Shuxin absolutely shines as the conflicted and highly intelligent Yun Weishan, a performance I never thought I'd see from her as she is notorious for her cutesy roles and infantile voice that drives me nuts at times. lol I loved her in this drama, though. It made me see her in another light and because of this drama, I am willing to give her another chance in similar works. But as much as I found the premise and female lead intriguing, I found myself more drawn to the secondary characters. I wasn't invested in her relationship with Gong Zi Yu played by Zhang Linghe. The character just felt flat to me for some reason. Perhaps Gong Zi Yu is far too much of a goody two shoes that he didn't resonate with me.

The second couple also did nothing for me as the second female lead was downright unlikable from the start. Her manipulative, selfish, arrogant, and scheming nature just left a bad taste in my mouth. With all due respect to Lu Yuxiao, her Shangguan Qian will most likely hinder me from watching her other works any time soon. I just couldn't stand her character! And I'm afraid I will associate her with this role for quite some time. Cheng Lei, however, was the perfect cold and domineering tsundere, Gong Shangjue. I wanted a better ending for him. But thank goodness for the third couple, Jin Fan and Gong Zishang, they were my favorites! Their comedic tandem kept me entertained all throughout the drama. I also became attached to the fourth couple, Elder Yue and Yun Que, they were quite charming though their love was ultimately a tragic one. The Xue boys and Young Master Hua were also adorable. Yun Weishan's master and handler, Han Ya Si was another unforgettable character. But my favorite is definitely Gong Yuanzhi. Tian Jiarui is simply magnetic in this role and he played it to a tee. I have high hopes for the future of this young actor.

Apart from his visuals and distinct filmmaking style, Guo Jingming's strong suit is writing relatable and interesting supporting characters, so it's no wonder that I loved this cast as much as I loved the cast of Fangs of Fortune. Speaking of visuals, like all of Guo Jingming's works, it is a spectacle to behold. The cinematography, the carefully curated sets, the beautifully crafted costumes, the deliberate almost dance-like movements of the actors, the cinematic shots, and the stylistic action choreography are unlike any other I've seen in C-dramas not helmed by him. It is, in every sense of the word, art. He may not have the best reputation in the industry or even be the most capable writer, but he is no slouch when it comes to artistry and that is why I keep watching his dramas and films.

The memorable music adds to the appeal of the drama and is pretty much the glue that holds the story together, making the emotional beats considerably more impactful. Kudos to the music composer and music editor for a job well done.

Unfortunately, this drama is not without flaws. Though relatively shorter with merely 24 episodes, the run time of each episode is about an hour long, and the signature slow speech and pacing of Guo Jingming's dramas dragged things out as if procrastination was its job, leaving me to nod off into dreamland quite a few times. And yet the last few episodes flew by like a super cyclone in a hurry to devastate another territory, only screeching into a halt with an abrupt cliffhanger of an ending. I mean, I get it. That ending was a deliberate choice to open things up for a potential sequel. I won't be surprised if they had at least another season planned. But with how busy the actors have gotten since the drama was released, I don't see how they would have the time to make another season. It took Joy of Life 5 years to produce a second season and it was a massive hit. It wouldn't have been possible without the full cooperation of all the actors involved. But they could've at least given it a proper ending. The main conflict of the season was already resolved, so it should've been able to stand on its own, sequel or no sequel. Sadly, this is a kind of trend in C-dramas. This is not the only drama I've seen with an ambiguous ending. And because of those flaws I mentioned, I can only give an 8.

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It's A Human Eat Human World

This is actually a review of seasons 1 and 2. I refrained from writing a review for the first season because it ended in a frustratingly unresolved cliffhanger that it annoyed me for days on end! I was so pissed it ended with zero resolution that my rating for the season went from 9 to 6.

After watching the second season, I can confirm that my violent reaction was warranted. The following season started exactly where the first one left off and since I had to wait three whole years for the continuation, I had forgotten a lot of the characters and subplots that I had to do a refresh. For god's sake, they could've just made a 15-episode season instead of splitting it into two!

One of my biggest pet peeves is when seasons end on a cliffhanger without resolving any of the conflicts that were laid out. They could've at least ended the first season with a semblance of a resolution as consolation to its viewers who patiently watched all seven episodes. But no, they had to go the full cliffhanger route and basically declared war with how they ended that penultimate episode, even making people wait three years with the fear that it won't be renewed. And for that alone, my enjoyment of this series was partly ruined. I would've given this a much higher rating if not for that poor decision by the producers/directors. Seriously, who decided they'll just make one season and end it like that without fully knowing if it will be renewed or not?!

But putting aside my grievances, now that I've seen season two, I can honestly say that this is one of the better written and most bonkers, gory, and visceral show I've seen to date! The story itself is so disturbingly insane, I can only imagine what kind of sick mind concocted it. But that very lunacy and the equally crazy characters are its greatest asset. It makes you realize how dark and gruesome humans can be when trapped in a corner like a wounded animal determined to survive.

The characters are so unbelievably complex and relatable to a degree that it bothers me. The Goto family perturbs me but they are the result of generational wealth, power, and privilege. You might think a family like that could not exist in this day and age, but they do in some shape or form. They may not literally eat flesh, but they eat their share of “livestock” simply by existing. If I were Keisuke, would I have done the same things he did, especially when it was all he has ever known? Yes, I probably would've. But I also might have been Yosuke. I might have been Ai, refusing to sacrifice my own child for other people's twisted gains. Even Gin herself had every reason to hate and exact her revenge on a village that treated her like trash. This was a truly thought-provoking, terrifying, and maddening series with nail-baiting scenes, stunning cinematography, fittingly eerie music, and well fleshed out characters. The acting is also superb. I think I might've fallen in love with Kasamatsu Sho even more.

Would I recommend this despite my earlier rant? Yes, if you're into body horror and don't mind all the blood and gore. Good thing you can binge all episodes now. I wish I knew this was their plan, I would've waited for the second season before starting this. I could've saved myself from all that grief! Lol I give this a very solid 8.5.

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A Simple Story About Complicated People

Cinderella Closet is a refreshingly wholesome web drama that fits the feel-good light and fluffy category. The story is simple but heartwarming, there's no melodrama, no villains, just likable and relatable characters. It's a warm welcoming hug after a hard day's work, greeting you at your doorstep as you say, “Tadaima!” Simply put, it just puts a big smile on your face by the time you're done with it. Dramas like these are what made me fall in love with J-doramas in the early 2000's. They're short, sweet, and full of life lessons and adorable quirky characters.

Haruka is a tomboyish young woman who has always felt plain and insignificant among a bevy of “kawaii” girls her age. Her life is transformed the moment she meets Hikaru, a gender fluid cross-dresser who has the looks as well as the fire that she feels she lacks. At the center of this story is their unlikely bond and growing fondness for one another as they manuever their way through life and struggle with their own self-worth.

I devoured this drama in just one sitting. It was as addicting as it was engrossing. The plot is simple but the relationship between the lead characters is anything but. Despite its relatively wholesome vibe, it delves deep into serious and socially relevant issues like gender identity and lookism. There are no bad characters here, just everyday people trying to make something of their lives and that's what I love most about it. The story follows the lives of ordinary individuals just dealing with their own personal issues and that's why they're relatable and you can easily empathize with them.

If you're looking for just a nice short drama that leaves you feeling good about yourself, this is the ticket. I highly recommend it!

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A Surprisingly Gruesome But Watchable Detective Mystery Drama

Coroner's Diary is what I thought and wanted In Blossom to be, about a brilliant female coroner and a calculating strategist for a male lead. Apart from the fact that it stars one of my favorite Chinese actors, I'm also into detective mysteries, so this is definitely my cup of tea.

I immediately became attached to the characters. The main characters are just so adorably wholesome, I can't help but like them. I didn't become as invested in the main couple's love story, though. Although I liked both actors just fine and I appreciated the natural development of their slow burn romance, I didn't quite feel the chemistry between them. They looked great together, I'm not gonna lie, but I felt that the chemistry was lacking. I don't quite know how to explain it. Maybe I'm just slightly biased because I did ship Ao Ruipeng with Bai Lu in another drama, and to me, that was the still best pairing Ruipeng ever had.

I bear no hate for Li Landi, though. I thought she did her role justice and she's definitely one of the better love interests for Ruipeng. This drama also made me pay more attention to her. I would definitely check out her other dramas after this. Speaking of Ruipeng, he surprisingly did well in this. I never thought that the boy who played the rambunctious Lei Wujie would be able to effectively play a dashing, righteous, and cunning military mind.

But as much as I liked the main couple, I thought the second couple carried more charm. I'm such a sucker for the friends-to-lovers trope so it's no wonder that I found them to be more engaging. I wish they got more screen time.

The cases they take on are strange to downright disturbing. But it's the uniqueness of these cases that kept me watching. Sure, some of them were so farfetched and predictable that I'm convinced they were merely done for shock value, but it's not like they weren't engrossing enough to hold my attention. The plot twist in the end was pretty good although I also figured that out about halfway through. I'm pretty sure others did too. Chinese writers tend to give away these twists midway so I hope they could improve on that.

This was a good watch as a whole. I was entertained for the most part despite getting marginally bored midway. In my opinion, this is one of the better historical detective mystery dramas in C-drama land.

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