Meari21

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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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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You Do Live Long Enough to See Yourself Become the Villain

I first saw this series about two years ago, and to be perfectly honest, I didn't quite know how to feel about it. I was, in fact, very reluctant to rewatch the season because I didn't want to relive it. But I felt compelled to do so as I intended to watch the second season and I could barely remember the first, probably due to selective memory.

The first half of the series was engaging and the action thrilling. I was specifically impressed by the creative ways Si Eun fought, it was visceral and almost feral yet always strategic and well-thought out. But just when I thought I had the whole plot figured out, it turned every trope I could think of on its head, and delivered a twist so disturbing, resonating with me so deeply that it upset me. I'm not going into all the details as plenty of people have already written reviews that are similar to mine. So I'm going to just talk about the emotional scar that this series has left me, my gripes, and how they affected my rating.

Anyone who has ever been bullied physically or psychologically can relate to this story and I am one of those people. I saw myself in Beom Seok's shoes, the socially awkward and tormented teen who always felt inferior and a total outsider even amongst those closest to him. So for him to turn against his friends and do a complete 180 was distressing to me to say the least because I knew deep down that could've been me, I could've done that if I had chosen to go down that path. Many of this drama's viewers hate on Beom Seok, but he's as real as it gets. He is what happens when a tortured and lonely soul, who was raised to believe that power and acknowledgement can make people love him and see him as an equal, is pushed to the limit.

Even though this part of the story made me disconnect myself and tune out from what I was watching, I realized that his character and betrayal is what truly makes this drama so powerful. This is not just a drama about bullying, it's about the tragedy of what comes after. It's about the psychologically troubled teens who finally snap after all the torture, humiliation, and demoralization by their abusers and decide to bring guns to school to shoot every last one of their classmates in absolute rage. I believe Beom Seok zeroed in on Suho because he was disappointed in him. He placed Suho on a pedestal because he was the complete opposite of his father. He lashed out when the idol he worshipped turned out to be someone whom he thought was no better than his abusive father. I do not condone his actions but he had his reasons no matter how selfish or twisted they were.

But as much as I was moved and emotionally tortured by this drama because of the painful realism they portrayed these characters, I couldn't and still can't give it a much higher rating. The reason is the violence in the last episode that left a bitter taste in my mouth. I expected Si Eun to avenge Suho by using his usual tactics and being smart about it, but he didn't. He went full Rambo with guns blazing and the bloody war he waged against his enemies took me out of it because it was so unrealistic and just plain ridiculous. No school would allow such a thing! And for the things he did, he would've been sent to juvenile hall and even forced to leave the country because no school would ever take him in no matter the circumstances. As an educator, I cannot begin to fathom why the teachers can be so unbelievably useless and ignorant! Dude, the police or even school security would've been called the moment Si Eun walked in with murder in his eyes. But there was practically no intervention. I mean, the fights inside the classroom were already wildly unrealistic, but that last fight was times ten! The only thing that made that scene less cheesy was Jihoon's acting. He sold it, I'm not gonna lie. But I still would've preferred that they had dialed it down and made it more grounded. There are other ways to exact revenge other than going full berserker mode, which I felt was uncharacteristic of Si Eun at that point in his life. Sure, old Si Eun would've taken the pen and stabbed someone with it with no remorse. But the Si Eun who found friendship in Suho would've stopped and thought about how Suho would've reacted if he had gone back to his old violent self. I guess the reason why I was slightly disappointed by how things turned out is I expected a lot more from this drama considering the strong start. Maybe I'm a bit harsh, but I can only give this an 8.5 and no higher than that. This drama could've been truly brilliant if they had managed to maintain the quality of the storytelling and fight scenes until the end. I expected a clever solution, but I got bloody violence in the end.

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"Many Are More Talented Than I Am, But They Can't Create What I Can."

I haven't seen the anime so I had no preconceived notions of what this movie should be or shouldn't be. I just knew that art is a central theme, so I basically went into this blind. I suppose it was a good thing I didn't watch the anime or read the manga because I actually really enjoyed this. I might have judged it in comparison to the anime/manga if I had been a fan of the source material.

Yaguchi Yatora is the central figure in this story, a relatively ordinary teenager just trying to conform to society's expectations, to be a good student and make his parents proud but careful not to stand out or seem too geeky that he'd be ostracized by his peers. In other words, his life revolves around fitting in and pleasing other people save for himself. Because of this, he has never once felt like his own person or discovered what he really wants to do with his life until he stumbles upon Mori Maru's art and ignites something deeply provocative in him, compelling him to reflect on his own existentialism. And so he embarks upon the challenging journey of seriously pursuing art despite the fact that he has little to no talent and has to start from scratch, competing against far more skilled and gifted artists than he is. The movie follows him as he struggles with his own perfectionism and suffers blow after blow to his self-esteem, and yet continues to be determined to try again until he reaches the pinnacle.

Yes, the plot is simple and fairly predictable. It doesn't attempt to do the unexpected and you know where the protagonist's journey ends. But it's not the destination that matters here, it's the many obstacles and moments of self-doubt along the way that the plot focuses on. It's a moving character-driven story that explores the complexities of human desires and the lengths one is willing to go through to achieve them despite the hardships, pain, and humiliation. Every time Yaguchi fails and ponders upon giving up his dream, I feel it, I can relate to it. Gordon subtlely but expertly portrays Yaguchi's sadness and frustration, so kudos to him. But I must admit, he was overshadowed by Fumiya's portrayal of Ryuji. I never thought a complex cross-dressing character could be so beautifully and poignantly portrayed by anyone, let alone Fumiya. I wasn't a fan of his before this, but I've been completely converted. He should be given meatier roles like this. He is perfect for Ryuji! I found their beyond-friendship dynamic profoundly compelling. The movie actually reminds me of The Lines That Define Me but with a better ending, better visuals, a more inspiring story, and more complex characters.

The production value in this is also highly commendable. The special effects are way cooler than I thought they would be. I imagine that in the anime/manga, Yaguchi's imagination and creative reveries are depicted in fantastical visuals that transport the viewer/reader to an alternate world that exists inside his mind, and the movie does well in adapting that into live action. And damn, the cinematography is chef's kiss! The color grading and filters, especially the bluish hues they chose to depict Shibuya's early morning cityscapes, really bring out the somber beauty of Tokyo. I felt like I wanted to be there, I was there, and should be there. Even the subtle details of trash littering the streets and drunk teens smoking on sidewalks give authenticity to the place, something that is rarely shown in dramas or movies that aim to only present the pleasing aspects of a place.

I have to talk about the music because I seriously think it's the best part of the movie. The soundtrack/musical score is a cultural experience by itself! The music is practically the gravitational force that brings it all together. The funky and jazzy song that plays in the first few minutes of the movie immediately sets the artsy tone. The music remains consistent throughout the film, announcing its presence when you're supposed to notice it and toning things down when it's supposed to stay in the background like inconspicuous white noise. It's certainly one of the best soundtracks in any Japanese drama or movie I've seen thus far. Very well done indeed!

My only complaint is that it's too short and left me wanting more. I felt that this could've worked better as a short drama instead of a two-hour movie. The characters could've used more fleshing out. I found myself getting attached to the main characters but the side characters felt like fodder. I wanted to get to know them more. I bet the anime does better at this.

Thanks to this movie, I no longer have any reason to sleep on the anime. I will definitely check it out! I give Blue Period a solid 9 out of 10.

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If Back to the Future Was Made in Korea...

I know Twinkling Watermelon is a highly rated K-drama. It's even branded as one of the best K-dramas ever made. But frankly, I think it's just above-average good. Probably one of the better ones out there but definitely not flawless or even close to being up there with the best, imho. It's still pretty good and worth the watch, though.

First off, this is a Koreanized version of Back to the Future. Yes, yes, they are not completely the same. I'm not saying it's a Korean remake of this Hollywood classic nor do I think it's a copycat. But they did take the plot of the first Back to the Future film, tweaked it, mixed in some undeniable Korean flavors (gochujang and sesame oil and everything), and then added a social commentary about physical disabilities to make a family oriented drama that's moving and heartwarming with memorable characters and wonderful life lessons. Yes, I did like this drama to an extent. But it was more because of the characters. Despite its flaws, it was an entertaining watch.

Let's talk about the things I disliked first. If you've seen the Back to the Future films, you'd recognize the similarities, from the time travel aspect (the main character meeting his parents and getting them to date because he messed things up) to literally changing their lives for the better. There's also a Doc Brown character who takes him back to the past and becomes his mentor. Plus, he happens to be a talented guitarist like Marty McFly and also plays rock 'n roll music that sounds either like the 1950's-60's classic rock featured in BTTF or modern-day K-pop, which sucks because this was set in 1995 when alternative music ruled the airwaves. Sure, they did mention Kurt Cobain, made references to Nirvana, and showed posters of Bon Jovi and album covers of Radiohead's Pablo Honey. But they're no more than just cosmetic add-ons to remind people that the drama is set in the 90's. It doesn't really feel authentic, though. Apart from the pagers, cassette tapes, and vintage computers, it felt like any other K-drama set in the present. I thought maybe they just wrote a script and had to pick a timeline based on the ages of the main characters and their parents when they were teens. Nothing about the plot screamed original to me and I felt that little to no research was done about that era because none of the music they chose for this drama fit the setting. Not to mention they kept talking about Kurt Cobain as if he was still alive. He committed suicide in 1994 due to depression, and he was even rumored to have been murdered by his own wife. So for them to say that they want to be like Kurt who can get all the pretty girls was downright insensitive and ignorant. Also, by 1995, the bands that were making waves worldwide were Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam. Kurt's death ended the grunge era and made way to alternative and post-grunge music. I know because I lived through this era. I'm the same age as the parents in this drama and I was a huge rock fan back in the day. So the musical aspect and overall atmosphere really disappointed me because the setting just felt like a studio instead of an actual place, and the vibe just didn't feel like the 90's at all. I also wished they had made Eun Gyeol more skilled at playing the guitar because for a supposed musical genius, his skills weren't very extraordinary. For someone who started playing the guitar at a young age and continued to improve over the years, he should've sounded way better.

Another thing I disliked is the way they handled the time travel. In theory, you can't alter your past by traveling through time and go back to a changed present, rather you'll end up creating an alternate timeline or a different dimension. But since they borrowed the concept from BTTF, the main character ends up changing the past and creating a new future for himself and his loved ones. I don't mind this as much. But they should've corrected what BTTF got wrong, which is making the parents remember Eun Gyeol and putting two and two together. After all, they spent a good amount of time with him, even had pictures of him lying around. They should've seen the resemblance between their son and the guy they used to know, and how they're so alike in personality. That's the part where I had to try hard to suspend my disbelief. Unlike Marty who only spent a few days with his parents, Eun Gyeol actually lived with them, bonded with them, and played a huge part in their lives. He formed a band with his own dad and his friends, and became his mom's savior. How could they have forgotten him? None of them even looked for him when he left? Not even one mention of the Eun Gyeol they knew as teens.

I also think the drama could've been shorter. There were far too many unnecessary scenes and music video-ish montages that are very typical of K-dramas. This is the biggest downside of implementing hour-long 16-episode dramas instead of just choosing the optimum length for a drama depending on the story content. I'm glad that other dramas are dropping this format and going for shorter episodes and run time, it makes the drama more compact and the pacing faster.

But those are the only ones I have complaints about, the rest I actually really enjoyed. The cast, for the most part, are excellent. They played their roles to a tee. Although I thought Choi Hyun Wook as Yi Chan was a bit too extra. I mean, I think he acted great in this but did he have to shout all the time? It was driving me nuts! lol My favorite was the ex-gang member bass player, though. I actually loved the side characters, they were so much fun! And the kid who played young Eun Gyeol really stood out to me. When he cried, I cried. Really good child actor! I hope to see him in future projects.

Even though the story closely resembles that of BTTF, I like that they put their own spin on it and made it obviously Korean. I also appreciate the fact that they pushed the social commentary about prejudism against people with disabilities. I don't think any K-drama has tackled that issue before, so I'm glad they made it an integral part of the plot. We need more social awareness for these kinds of topics. I wasn't too fond of the romance but that's just me. Romance is just not my thing. But I did find myself wanting to watch one episode after another. If I wasn't so busy with work that I only had time to watch a couple of episodes before bed time, I would've binged the whole thing. All in all, this was an enjoyable drama that left me feeling great after completing it. It's a great feel-good family oriented drama that can bring you to tears, but also make you laugh and take you back to a more carefree time.

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The Most Seemingly Insignificant Things Turn Out To Be The Most Important Ones

I have to admit, I only watched this for Woo Do Hwan. I came into this blind so I didn't know what to expect. This is probably one of the weirdest Korean rom-coms I've ever seen! But that's not to say that I didn't like it because I did to some extent. I didn't drop or watch it in installments so that counts for something. When I get bored with a drama, I would usually take a break from it and pick it up again days or even months later, or just drop it completely. That didn't happen with this.

The story follows Hae Jo, a runaway whose father practically discards him when he discovers Hae Jo isn't his biological son. He comes to believe that his life is an accident and that whatever happiness he might find is borrowed and temporary. Hence, he has issues with commitment and permanence. Woo Do Hwan plays this role to a tee. Very few actors can pull off an anti-hero type of character and remain sympathetic. His Hae Jo is a selfish jerk and yet you find redeeming qualities in him. You wanna punch him one minute but hug him the next. Do Hwan carries this show, imho. But that's not to discount the rest of the cast. I think they're great too. It's just that this is a Woo Do Hwan drama through and through. And if the lead role had been played by a lesser actor, it wouldn't have worked as well, I believe.

Plotwise, it's pretty angsty. Not that I avoid that sort of thing or have problems with sad endings. In fact, I rather liked how it ends. He came from thinking his life meant nothing to wanting to live because he realized his life is worth living. That to me is a powerful message. It's a story about life, love, regrets, second chances, and endings.

The production is more than decent with the music particularly standing out to me. I would've given this drama a higher rating if it had been shorter. They could've chopped it down to just 8 episodes and it wouldn't have affected the story at all. Too many unnecessary scenes that don't contribute much to the overall plot. My biggest beef with this drama though, is the toxic nature of the main couple's relationship and the constant ridiculousness and nonsensical behaviors of the characters. It drove me nuts! And that's why I only gave this an 8 out of 10.

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There's A New Dragon In Town

I went into this blind. I had no clue about the plot and I'm not a fan of the games from which this was supposedly based on, so I can confidently say that I had no expectations or biases coming into this. I just got curious because they actually had a panel in San Diego Comic Con and it stars one of my favorite Japanese actors, Kaku Kento. Not to mention I have a sort of fascination for yakuza culture and history. The drama starts off promising enough but then it goes astray in the next three episodes. The constant going back and forth between timelines became taxing. I understand that it's a stylistic choice but still, they could've just done some flasback episodes and be done with it. Non-linear storytelling only works if there are some major revelations that need to be to reserved until the end and the twists and turns in the plot are actually shocking. But none of them were mindblowing at all. If anything, I found most of the so-called twists predictable. So I thought the non-linear narrative only did the drama a disservice. But having said that, the last two episodes are the saving grace of this lackluster series. It actually gets better before it ends!

The cast, for the most part, are exceptionally good. Kaku Kento seamlessly transitions from being one of the protagonists to the biggest baddie in the drama and you can't help but sympathize with him. Very few can pull off that kind of role and he did it with ease. Takeuchi Ryoma as Kiryu was a good choice, imho. I know some fans disliked this casting but I thought he successfully stepped into this role. You see a clear distinction between his young Kiryu, who aspired to become the legendary Dragon and the seasoned Kiryu who has seen and experienced the worst. The rest of the cast did their jobs. The only one I didn't like was Morita Misato as Aiko. I thought she overacted, like a lot! I can't say she's a bad actress, though. She did remarkably well in the Naked Director so I don't know what possessed her to act like a total lunatic in this. Yes, she plays a drug addict, but addicts don't generally act like they're always stoned. I thought her acting was unnatural and completely unrealistic.

The production value is a lot better than the local network TV dramas in Japan, something I wish they would adapt locally so their dramas won't look like cheaply produced reality TV shows. I did like the cinematography in this. The darker tones in the color grading give it a grittier and more sinister look, which suits the general vibe and themes of the drama. The musical score is also well done. The fight scenes are well-choreographed and executed. But I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't have as many action sequences as I had hoped.

As a whole, this is an entertaining drama that I didn't regret watching. The last two episodes alone convinced me that it needs a second season and I will definitely check it out when it's released.

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A Lovely Remake

You Are The Apple of My Eye is a Japanese remake of a Taiwanese movie and it is a wonderful coming of age/slice of life type of story of high school life, close-knit group of friends, and first loves. Yamada Yuki plays Kosuke, the martial arts enthusiast who finds studying and going to school mundane and useless, until he meets and falls in love with model student Mana, played by Saito Asuka. Their relationship is complex as they are the exact opposites of each other and so their romance has always been rocky from the start. This line hit me hard, though. “Thank you for falling in love with me.” How many times have I heard that in my lifetime?! Too many! Hahahahaha.... Our teen years really are the best days of our lives but the growing pains, heartaches, and lost chances also suck big time! I love Kosuke's interaction with his friends the most. The four of them are probably the best characters in the whole film. I'm glad I decided to watch this despite my initial misgivings. I might watch the Taiwanese version next.

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A Waste of a Good Concept and a Great Cast of Actors

I had such high expectations for this drama and had hoped that it would be better than Liu Xueyi's previous project, In Blossom. But sadly, it's subjectively much worse. Even though he is paired with a more capable leading lady in this and has better chemistry with her, the writing just isn't up to snuff. The drama crashes and burns pretty much from the get-go. The first few episodes are kinda interesting. A romance between a domineering and borderline psychotic leading man and a badass female lead determined to end him is something I haven't quite seen in a C-drama before. Alas, the drama only plays with the concept but never fully realizes it as if afraid to explore a truly toxic romance.

The story is a jumbled mess. I didn't know how to make of it and I got the feeling the writers didn't know what they wanted it to be either. It's like a patchwork of different subplots that don't seamlessly fit together. The transitions from one story arc to another are badly executed and the writing is filled with overused and melodramatic tropes that I wish would disappear from dramas altogether. The drama also runs a little too long. It should've ended by the 25th episode. But instead, they let it drag on even though there's practically nothing else to tell. I blame the writing for this, they should've gotten better writers to adapt the novel. The cast, in general, did what they could with the material given to them. Although I wish they had chosen other actors to play certain roles, I was satisfied with the cast for the most part. It's a shame because they could've made something far more engaging with this plot. The only thing that made this drama watchable for me is Liu Xueyi's acting that is always on point.

The production is pretty decent. Kudos to the costume and makeup department for the styling of the actors. The music is alright. The soundtrack and musical score don't really stand out to me but serviceable. But that's about it. I don't know what else to say about this drama. I had it to put it on hold after I finished watching the 23rd episode because I completely lost interest. It dragged so heavily by the last few episodes that completing it was agonizing. This is simply not my cup of tea. They wasted a good concept and a great cast of actors.

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Of Modern-Day Ninjas and Their Possible Existence

I finally finished House of Ninjas after a lot of cursing and chants of "Kill Kill Kill". As a whole, it is a great series that showcases the shadowy world of the enigmatic shinobi, revolving around the fictional descendants of Hattori Hanzo, the famed shinobi who was a loyal retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The series captured my attention because there have been very few movies or shows that elaborately depict modern-day ninjas and do it in a more believable or conceivable fashion. I give credit to the writers of the show for creating such a rich world of ninjas filled with colorful and relatable characters (except one). Kaku Kento is an absolute badass as Haru, the skilled but reluctant shinobi who refuses to kill and rebels at the idea of complete subjugation from the government that employs them. Kora Kengo is equally brilliant as his conflicted older brother. And of course, there's their beastly dad played by Eguchi Yosuke who is known for playing Saito Hajime in the Rurouni Kenshin movies and Ichigo's dad, Kurosaki Isshin, in the Bleach live action. But I think my favorite is definitely the grandma even though I found Riku adorable. In fact, I loved most of the characters, including the villains like Yamada Takayuki, because they are so good in this. I loved everyone except Ito Karen (I don't want to search for the actress' name) whose damsel-in-distress and nosy reporter character just bugged me from the get-go. My god, I have never wanted a character to die so bad! 🤣 All she ever does is get herself into trouble and have Haru rescue her. Her pursuit of the truth gets her in deep shit and all because she wants to know everything. Not everything that is kept in the shadows should be brought to light. There's a reason why it is being kept secret and most of the time it's because it will only cause more harm than good to reveal it. She is basically like a cat whose curiosity almost gets her killed. She is such a waste of space. I am hoping they will leave her out in the succeeding seasons and introduce a different love interest for Haru. As for the fight scenes, they are well choreographed and executed, especially the boss fight between the brothers. That was so cool! Kudos to the stunt team and action choreographers for crafting some of the coolest ninja action I've seen in years. Looking forward to the next season, but please, no more Karens.

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Yin Yang Master It Is Not

Onmyouji or The Yin Yang Master: Zero is the latest Japanese live action adaptation of the popular game, Onmyouji. This IP has had many movie and anime adaptations over the years, three of which are Japanese films, including this one, an anime series, and three Chinese movies. As a non-fan of this franchise, I would say that this standalone film is watchable only to a certain extent. It is weird and draggy as hell! I had to watch this in installments because I kept dozing off and I always kept trying to remember what the plot was about.

The story? I don't know. Is there one? It just follows a gifted apprentice who is incredibly rude and full of himself. His parents were killed and he's looking to avenge their deaths. He meets a nobleman who befriends him and together they solve supernatural cases. The world is explained in a long narration in the beginning and their skills and techniques are conveniently explained through lectures given by teachers of these apprentices. And yet, they start showing off seemingly magical powers that come out of nowhere, so you begin to doubt whether you actually understood the explanation on how things work in this world. It has this dreamlike quality to it that makes you think that maybe you're hallucinating from an acid trip. But you're so confused that you just don't care anymore and fall asleep. That's what this is. Seriously, this is better off as a drama instead of a movie. Then maybe they could've done a more decent job at the world building aspect.

The acting is theatrical. In other words, it's bad. Yamazaki Kento is miscast once again. His portrayal of the lead role is exactly the same as his L in the live action drama adaptation of Death Note. At this point, I think he's just phoning in his performances. Oh well, at least he's only half bad here, not as horrible as his version of L. The rest of the cast all act as if they're in a stage play. Cheesy AF! The music? Pretty much non-existent because I didn't notice it at all. The visuals are decent but that's the only saving grace of this movie. I can tell they shot the vast majority of scenes in front of green screens, though.

All in all, this is not a good movie. If I were a fan of the games, then maybe I could've appreciated it more. But it's just badly written, acted, and produced. It's definitely one of those live action adaptations that should never have been made.

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A Worthy Remake

I have slept on Taiwanese dramas and movies for far too long! This movie is a remake of the 2010 Korean film, which I didn't see, so I have no basis of comparison. I'm glad I didn't watch that movie, though otherwise I would've been spoiled by the ending. Hello Ghost is basically Robert Downey Jr.'s 1993 film, Heart and Souls, but with a lot more heart and soul. Yes, the original is made in Korea but the Korean version is no doubt heavily inspired by Heart and Souls.

It's a story about family, companionship, and the need for human connection. Anyone who has ever suffered from depression, contemplated suicide, and lived through the loss of a loved one could very much relate to this story. It follows a lonely young man, Chen Wei, who tries to end his miserable life countless times, but fails each time. One day, he finally succeeds in dying but is saved by a do-gooder paramedic. He comes back from the dead with the ability to see ghosts. Four ghosts start to accompany him, asking for favors and surprisingly, giving him good advice. As he spends more time with them, he starts to see them more as family instead of a nuissance. He receives guidance from them and he starts to feel a lot less lonely than before.

This is a very wholesome family-oriented film with so much heart, life lessons, and quotable quotes. It has laugh-out-loud moments as well as dramatic scenes that would have you reach out for tissues. His relationships with the ghosts and the paramedic who saves him from dying are the focal points of this story. And the twist at the end had me crying my eyes out. If you love movies like How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, then this is for you.

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A Love Story For The Ages

Your Name Engraved Herein is a poignant love story about two teenage boys set in Taiwan just right after the martial law is lifted. It is also a coming of age story that delves deep into teenage homosexuality and the struggles that come with having to deal with societal expectations and public judgement.

Birdy and Chang Jia Han are high school best friends who fall deeply in love with each other but have to keep their love hidden because homosexuality is not socially accepted and is even, in fact, seen as a sin. Both boys go to a Catholic school, so homophobia is rampant.

I'm not gonna lie, this movie made me cry. I shed tears for both boys because I knew they truly loved each other, and in a perfect world, they could've been happy. But since it was 1987 and Taiwan was a military-run state then, their homosexuality was considered a disease that must be cured or corrected. Their love was over before it could even start. They are forced to go on their separate ways and even try to fit into the social norms.

Tseng Jing Hua and Edward Chen both give powerful performances in this movie. They did remarkably well in portraying two troubled young boys who long to be together but can't because it just isn't possible, the political climate and society just won't allow them.

Fortunately, they reunite many years later and they are given another shot at happiness, and that's where the movie ends. I firmly believe that they would've rekindled their relationship and start anew. I so badly want them to finally be together, they certainly deserve it.

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A Poignant and Relatable Family Drama

I can only describe this movie in one word - tearjerker. I cried buckets watching this darn movie! I knew this movie garnered several awards and was hailed as one of the best movies of the year. But even so, I was still taken aback by how good it actually is. It is one of those movies that catches you off-guard because you'd think it's tragic and depressing, but it's actually a very wholesome and feel-good family film. Yes, it's heartwrenching and it'll make you weep, but it'll also stir up fond memories of your childhood and the precious time you shared with your familial relations - especially those who have passed away - whether you liked them or not.

It reminded me so much of my own grandmother and her last days. She, too, had cancer and passed away in our home under our care. Like the grandma in this movie, she left us a legacy that we cannot quite live up to, and to this day, I ask myself if we're even worthy of what she left us.

I started out disliking the main character M because he appeared to be the typical overprivileged Gen Z bum who expects everything to be handed to him on a silver platter. But as the story progresses, you see this significant change in his attitude towards life and his own family. Talk about great character development! By the end of the film, I empathized with him and I was totally on his corner.

What really made me cry was the angle about favoritism among children because I could definitely relate to that. The caretakers are often the ones taken for granted and least appreciated. I felt that because I was that caretaker and I have always felt that I was my mother's least favorite child. It is also a deeply provocative film that made me think about growing older and where I will end up. It reminded me a bit of that Japanese film I saw last year, Plan 75. It made me feel depressed. But it also made me want to prepare for my future and retirement because being old and alone is scary.

This is such an amazing film that pays tribute to the very idea of family. There are no perfect families, no perfect parents, and no perfect children. But we all do our best to love and care for each other the only way we know how.

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