"Thank you for picking up my discarded trash" What a masterpiece!
✎ DISCLAIMER: This review is from the perspective of someone who didn't watch the original Korean version. So I won't be comparing it, and will only share how I felt watching it.At the beginning, I was reluctant to watch another time-travel drama as it can be complicated to understand sometimes. But Satoh Takeru, being the male lead, assured me to watch this. OMG, after watching it I was completely obsessed with the characters and the storyline. Honestly, it was so mentally, emotionally satisfying that I didn't want to let go. THE FIRST REMAKE that did not excite me to watch the original one. This is the version I only need.
𖤓 Storyline:
The storyline was fascinating. There was no way one could get bored or want to skip scenes. Every second of this drama was full of surprises and thrilling elements to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Very intriguing and satisfying, but it was frustrating at times.
𖤓 Characters:
✦ Misa > Koshiba Fuka aka Misa as our main protagonist was phenomenal. Her realistic portrayal of the character Misa brought her to life. The way she changed herself to portray different phases, from misery, revenge to embracing her happiness, I was awestruck with her charm.
✦ Wataru > Satoh Takeru as Wataru was the best thing EVERRRR! His charming appearance, micro expressions, and acting were amazing. I mean, if you're signing up for a drama where he's the lead, it's rarely bad. Loved his character! He was a loving, caring person throughout Misa's journey who made her feel respected and cherished.
✦ Reina > What a vile character. She was so toxic that just a sight of her face was enough to make my blood boil. She made me wonder if she ever considered Misa as her friend. She was always jealous of her happiness and she wanted Misa to mirror her unhappiness. The actress, Shiraishi Sei, just nailed it. Her sudden expression changes, twitching lips, fake smile and with jealous eyes to portray this character just won my heart as a villain. I'm looking forward to her future work!
✦ Tomoya > Ah, this spineless scoundrel was hard to watch on screen. His aloof, mean face infuriated me. He never cared for Misa, only treated her as an emotional punching bag who'd tolerate his tantrums and wouldn't talk back. He deserved the misery.
Overall, it's a drama that will frustrate you and do a happy dance in the same episode and, as a result, your satisfaction level will increase at the end of it. So if you are looking for a drama that is energetic, full of twists and turns, then you should definitely check this out. Let me remind you that you are in for a wiiiild ride.
Was this review helpful to you?
Psychology, Psychopaths and a Psychic.
A fantastic sudden discovery that left me awed. Didn't realize how I finished 24 episodes without feeling bored.❉ Storyline:
The storyline may look simple from the beginning and people might think that it's a romantic thriller, so it won't have anything that serious. But trust me, that's where it gets your attention and surprises you at every step.
The most intriguing part of this drama was how the thrill was woven into 24 episodes so intricately that one cannot just stop at a certain episode without pressing for the next one.
❉ Acting:
All the actors were fantastic, nobody seemed out of character. It was my first Wallace Huo and Yin Zheng. They were excellent! From the beginning, ML maintained his stern expression and, although as he said, FL did bring out the softness he needed in his life, that didn't change his life overnight but slowly shaped him into an empathetic person. Although FL's start was pretty good, it lacked substantial growth as the period proceeded. Felt like she turned off her brain and started to act like a side character. Yin Zheng, Susan and Bo Jinyang's chemistry was everything. It held the whole thing together. Their trust and friendship were literally the treasure of the ML. Unlike any dramas I have watched till now, this drama had large numbers of non-native speakers who didn't mess up or degrade the quality, but they worked together so well that one might think of it as a western drama starring overseas actors.
❉ Cinematography:
In my opinion, it wasn't anything brilliant or something that'd blow your mind, but certain close-ups, fish-eye lenses and pov shots did a good job of making the watching experience more thrilling and suspenseful. I would like to give it extra credit for no dubbing. That thing is hella distracting and irritating in my opinion. It was a relief that they could capture the real tonal emotions accurately.
✧ This drama was something that I didn't plan on watching but stumbled upon and absolutely loved it. Surely, as I watched the drama 10 years after its release, I can see the plotholes, but that doesn't make it less interesting. For me it was negligible. The thrill had my eyes glued to the screen as it kept me guessing what was going to happen next. First 15 episodes were going smoothly until the last few episodes were nerve wrecking as lots of things happened in a short period of time. Most importantly, in the whole 24 episodes, it doesn't have any bleak moments. Such an entertaining, thrilling ride to this suspenseful drama.
Overall it was a solid watch that had its dedicated shots of romance, thrill, and suspenseful moments to keep me entertained from beginning to end.
Was this review helpful to you?
I'm good alone, but with you, I'm better!
"Every you, every me" is an anthology series where each and every story makes sense in the end because it's not over, until it's over.I dived into the series having no idea what was waiting for me to discover. At first, I was contemplating, thinking that it might not be as interesting as I thought. But soon the stories and the characters completely swept me off my feet and had me swooning like a lovesick cat!
—Storylines:
It consists of 8 episodes, where episodes 1 & 2 had different stories, episodes 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 had different stories, dedicating two episodes to each story.
The first two stories were light, cute and fluffy. But as we proceeded, the mood changed, it grew darker, involving complex characters, serious conflicts with different plots and its challenges.
One thing that was common in every story was the same faces enacting different characters and while we thought they were standalone stories, they proved us wrong in the last two episodes. The twist completely baffled me, thinking how beautifully this story was written and given life by the talented actors Top and Mick.
—Actors:
This was my first drama with TopMick, and I am truly madly and deeply in love with them! Their chemistry is natural and full of passion. It shows how much they are comfortable with each other. I'm in awe of their ability to portray different characters in one series, from bright & sunny to gloomy & shy individuals, showcasing their talent flawlessly. Initially, I thought the storylines were superficial, so I didn't have to connect to the characters, but episode by episode they grew on me and made me believe they were more than they were showing and, in the end, everything made sense. Now this is confirmed, I'm their fan and will support their future works earnestly.
—What to expect:
Expect nothing. I suggest everyone dive into this blindly. That way, you can enjoy and love the characters as they are without any judgment. There's no cringe, no lagging in acting, only pure underrated talent.
Overall, if you are up for something cute, full of love, then please give it a try. They will not disappoint you.
P. S: while watching ep 6, I thought this would be 8.5, but the last two episodes changed my mind and this is definitely a solid 9/10 drama for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
What is better, being trash or being a moving human sex toy?
This is the story of two broken people who tried to mend their souls. In terms of achieving their "normal", they went through dark corners of hell and found each other while waiting for a miracle.My feelings and mind are fogged. I can't explain my internal emotions right now. So I'll try to elaborate on the points I liked:
• The fact young, underage people like Hayato are still in the industry and the ruthless pimps like Maya exist makes my skin crawl in disgust.
• Hayato's only family; his mother never actually loved him. But he practically grew up and faced all those misfortunes alone in his life. Physical scars can heal, but the deathly mental scars the world gave him.
• Chihiro being disowned by his family for being gay caused him lots of trauma, which led him to lose his self-worth. He wanted to be loved no matter what, even if that person treated him like trash.
• When Hayato treated Chihiro like a nobody, a lifeless object, that broke my heart. He was ready to give his heart, but Hayato's heart was not ready to let him break his thick walls.
•In this dysfunctional world, finding a person to love and love back is a miracle. Glad that they found each other.
I loved the characters to the moon and back. They grew on me, and it was hard to let go. I can feel that it'll linger on me for a while.
Was this review helpful to you?
You heard my silence when I was busy hearing your heartbeat.
This drama has a simple storyline, but the lead's endearing friendship and heartfelt love exceed expectations. It all started with Taichi when he was being a note-taker for a hearing impaired student, Kohei, in return for his delicious bento!I loved how delicately they handled the characters with hearing problems and how it affected their daily lives. Taichi helping Kohei at first was just a favour in return for his bento, but gradually it turned into affection and care. He moulded his life for Kohei so that he feels comfortable, safe, and appreciated by people. On the other hand, our quiet and brave Kohei couldn't help but fall in love with our sunshine retriever Taichi when he knew it was one-sided, yet he bravely expressed his feelings but never let that love ruin their friendship.
Importantly, a character that I can't miss, i.e., Maya. At first, Maya seems annoying, and sure, we disapproved of her, but if you look at her from different perspectives, she is our deepest concern, intrusive thoughts, and fears we are afraid to face. The raw scornful attitude we hide to be accepted in society can be seen in the characters of Maya. She's immature but young and bold; she never fears to tell her honest opinions. She was open to more bullying, pitiful looks, and neglected peers. Her mantra or coping mechanism is to judge people before they judge you so that you don't have to get hurt later. I can try to understand where she's coming from. A person who's born with hearing difficulties is somewhat different from a person who lost hearing later. So honestly, she was definitely a bit annoying sometimes, but I really don't hate her character. Sometimes I feel she looks like my alter ego.
I enjoyed this throughout, but the last episode seemed rushed and ended abruptly. I wanted to see more of their lives when they're together; maybe a glimpse of their livelihood would have been nice. Without physical intimacy with the bare minimum skin ship, they established one of the greatest BLs of all time by just relying on their chemistry!
Irrespective of the flaws, I adore these awkward kids!
(+0.5 for Kohei's dimples and +0.5 for Taichi's puppy eyes)
Was this review helpful to you?
Sometimes silence speaks better than words
I have been waiting for this movie since the beginning of this year. Lovely story of two disabled people finding way to each other's hearts. Yamada Ryosuke once again nailed it; he didn't speak a word, but his facial expressions said it all. People in the comments were disappointed with the lack of communication from Aoi's side, but as a silent film enthusiast, his actions spoke more than words for me.Overall, it wasn't perfect, but a nice watch when you're bored and want to watch something emotional, but it left many questions unanswered, which feels like something is missing. But if you want to watch this, please only go through the tags, not the synopsis, as it ruins the storyline.
Was this review helpful to you?
Regardless of gender, all the feelings are differently same to be this relatable.
As I said, I did. I devoured all the episodes at once. I'm not a binge watcher, but for this one I had to, because now I know if I started it while it was airing, I would have gone insane by waiting.Before starting, I was and am still against dating shows because barely any couple stays the same after the shows; it's just for fame. But there's something unique about this one. I can't explain anything without spoiling the show, so I better stop here.
I couldn't skip any scene because each and every pause, gaze, and movement were speaking when everyone was silent. The cast had me giggling like a fool, but they also made me feel super frustrated at times. At the end, I found myself in a puddle of my own tears. I warned myself not to get too attached, but unfortunately, I did. I can't stop thinking, What are they doing now?
So if you are still contemplating whether to start this one or not, I would say if you trust me and my words, you should definitely give it a try.
Was this review helpful to you?
Dark,twisted, edgy and toxic blue romance.
When you start this movie you feel like you're in a haze, everything is blurry and confusing. But once it unfolds, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Truckload of emotions hit you when you're unprepared.Two lonely people try to find love when both of them have the same kind of psychological trauma. Their instant attraction turned into love and that love opened the door to freedom and escape from their traumatic past. That love made them say “I'll even go to hell as long as you're by my side”.
Beautiful cinematography, sad ill-defined plot and the chemistry between the actors is to die for. The symbolism of water/ocean throughout the movie made it prominent that their meeting and parting is related to it. The relationship between the recorded voicemails and past were tied so skillfully that you cannot assume the link between them.
Koizora, Sachiiro no one room, Drowning love and No call no life have different storylines but same genre same vibe. All of them are complex yet simple love stories of two young people.
I think I am more inclined towards those films that left a bitter aftertaste. They linger in your head for a while and make you ponder deeper which makes it more memorable. Definitely will watch it again to uncover the mystery.
Was this review helpful to you?
Did I forget to love myself while self respecting?
It all comes down to “who I am, what I want to be”. Before loving anyone you need to love yourself first with all your flaws.Soundtrack franchise never fails to play with heartstrings. It's a realistic story of a dreamy couple who are only novice when it comes to love. They broken up several times to be in love again and again.
People can be frustrated with Hyeonsu’s character as I was but you have to understand that not everyone has the same mindset as ours. She's independent, strong willed person with lots of inferiority complex who doesn't know how to lean on someone's shoulder. She'll exhaust herself to death but won't ask for help. She doesn't like being indebted to anyone even a small act of kindness can make her uncomfortable cause she constantly need to do something in return of something. These type of people can be seen as complicated and extremely arrogant but I know myself that it's hard to trust anyone other than yourself. Carrying all the burdens with yourself can be tiring sometimes, until you realise that your happiness lies in the moment, if you lose the perfect timing it might not come back again.
Suho is such a good soul. When he loves, he loves with his whole heart. He only wanted to be the supporting wall of Hyeonsu, which she never leaned on. He tried his best to make her happy but when she was never happy with herself, then it's a losing game for him.
Breaking up this relationship worked as a mirror to them. The reflected on their mistakes and learned to be kind and supportive to eachother. And most importantly they learned to let go to live freely in order find peace within themselves.
Yes I might watch this series all over again just to remind myself to take life easy.
Was this review helpful to you?
Romance, Fluff and thrill done right! ✨
After rejecting a lot of BLs I was torn between whether to watch another teenage lovestory or just pass, cause I was not mentally ready for another "brainless fluff". But people kept recommending me this. So one fine day, which was yesterday, I saw a ray of leisure time for myself and I decided to check this out FINALLY!As I was quite hesitant to watch I kinda felt lost at first. Everything was happening and I kept feeling clueless like Yeo-woon. Gradually the story hold its grip tight and pulled me in like a suction cup. Without knowing I was emerged in the story and emotionally attached to the characters.
Myung Ha is that drive of force which lets you accomplish any impossible action. And Yeo Woon is the result of that action. The conditions/situations between these two are same but one is simply clueless and other is brainstorming his life away for the sake of happiness.
"What's crucial to a happy life?"
The gaming interface creates a thrilling aura all over the storyline and is kept till the end of story which was really suspenseful! With the help of Romance, suspense, trauma and fluff this story created its own standard. If I say it was flawless then I would be lying. Last 3-4 episodes were quite different from my expectations and the plot suddenly escalated quickly towards the thrill part. But it turned out pretty good I must admit. Overall I would definitely recommend.
My rating: 8.5/10 ☘️
Was this review helpful to you?
Sensible honest love has problem too?
I'm going to give my honest thoughts about this series. There are things that I didn't like and something I really loved.The first thing I didn't liked about the series is the ML is very much objectified okay that's the biggest issue of the series but on the other hand it's true that not only women, but men are also victims of sexual harassment. It's very brave of GMMTV to show this side of the entertainment industry.
The other thing that I didn't like was the FLs overprotective grandfather. It's understandable that Pam's grandparents really love her, but her grandfather is overly overly protective towards Pam and that's really annoying.
Pam's mother is weirdly unbothered about her 1st child and is an epitome of an irresponsible mother. I know that's how the character really is, and this is a proof that mother like her really do exist.
But the chemistry between the ML and FL is very very good, Namtan has polished acting skills and Luke's acting skills developed over time.
Regardless of the flaws something about this series makes me wanna wait for an entire week. It's interesting and I love it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Your soul touched me with your eyes!
⚠️Disclaimer: I'm a romcom, slow burn junkie. Not every single romcom works for me because it takes certain mood, actors and storyline to kick that serotonin and dopamine to flow, surely it checked every single one of those. So keep that in mind, my opinion, rating, and this review is subjective.Romantics Anonymous is that kind of drama which can sweeten up your life just by looking at the process of making luxuriously crafted chocolates.
✧ Storyline:
When Sosuke, a germophobe whose fear stems from a traumatic past, meets Lee Ha Na, a gifted chocolatier who conceals her identity because of her own fears of social interactions, they both realize there's something in each other that can make themselves at ease in each other's presence. As someone who suffers from mild conditions of both of the leads, I could totally feel how they felt. Even though the storyline revolved around the store Le Sauveur, the way they blended the background story of each skillfully crafted chocolate with dedicated attention, it was a wonderful experience in itself.
✧ Acting:
I'm a fan of both the actors, Han Hyo Joo and Oguri Shun. As usual, their on-screen chemistry was absolutely amazing. Their interactions were effortlessly chaotic and therapeutic to witness. But I discovered Akanishi Jin here for the first time and his charming aura left a bold impression on my heart. The side characters were equally well crafted, they reflected their own brand in their acting.
✧ Cinematography:
I'm a big fan of aesthetic cinematography. Stunning visuals of vast scenery, warm colouring, and the cinematography are no joke. This drama will give you a movie-like feeling right from the beginning. This created the whole atmosphere very relaxed, inviting and intimate. Loved it!
I don't know how to criticize this 8 episode drama; even though it is a remake, Japan took the food drama to another level. The visual impression of those high-end beautifully crafted chocolates got me drooling. It was heartwarming to know that every chocolate doesn't only contain the sweetness and flavorings but also bears the most important memories of our lives, which brings us joy in our darkest moments. Surely it wasn't without flaws but it was a lovely, sweet and enjoyable ride that didn't disappoint me till the end, so those flaws were really ignorable to me.
Overall, if you are looking for something sweet that will fill the cracks of your broken heart, then this lovely heartwarming drama wishes you to make sure you feel cozy and happy.
Was this review helpful to you?
My heart, that only sings for you <3
In the era of sliding into DMs we got our "0620317745" couple!Thame-po, it's not just a drama, it's a story of finding harmony in friendship, love and dream. A series, that will not only make your heart skips a beat, but also will give you butterflies >.<
From the trailer to the series, I was excited to see something different, something unexpected from the generic GMMTV content. Believe me, I got exactly what I wanted! It's not a new concept where you will discover new ideas but it's more like creating a standard in this idol drama genre.
—:The things I liked:—
>I'm a sucker for good friendship storylines and they delivered everything regarding that. The characters weren't perfect but they showed how to maintain friendship while being kind to oneself. Sometimes I was jealous that I didn't experience friendships like that.
>Thame & Po, William and Est's sizzling chemistry is to die for! It's not forced but very natural. Their understanding of each other and making each other's flaws into strength is what made me sit through the whole series.
>Mars songs were soo good. The OSTs were bomb! Loved it!
>This series was dreamy and realistic at the same time. When you think "oh it's so dreamy" then suddenly they slap you with harsh realities of being an idol. They balanced both of them beautifully.
>The production was high quality and top notch! They made sure audience doesn't complain about this drama being plain. From camera angles, cinematography, colouring, makeup to clothing, EVERYTHING was top quality! That indeed made the whole watching experience aesthetically pleasing to eyes.
>And lastly, Thame-po shows the audience how painfully single they're! Their portrayal of love and affection was subtle but loud. In the era of succeeding a drama with great NC scenes, they proved heart fluttering romance is what audience feeds on. They swoon over single hand holding, catching glances, and remembering phone numbers! When taking care is love language, you don't have to worry, you'll be grinning a 12 yrs old teenager in love!
—:The things I didn't like:—
>There are not many things but only one, that is this thing is preplanned "YOU'RE BOUND TO LIKE EVERYTHING". From actors, idols,
Pemika (the CEO) to songs, EVERYTHING! Because it's part of the their business plan. They want to promote LYKN, the same idol group in the drama, MARS. They made audience like everyone. There were no bad gys but only good vibes, so that audience can relate with the on and off screen characters and which will eventually generate them big chunks of money in upcoming future. And they succeeded! Fans loved everything.
Then you might wonder, "what's the problem with that? This whole industry is for generating money." I agree, but it's just too perfect, and I like my dramas flawed with mistakes, morally grey characters and betrayals. If you pose perfection in a drama it becomes monotonous, being flawed give it an edge to be unique.
Overall, I must say GMMTV showed if they want to make a good selling series, they can! If you want to watch something warm, fluffy and aesthetically pleasing, this is for you.
Was this review helpful to you?
"I love you," but I can't forgive you.
In a world filled with emotional stories, the phrase this drama captures a common frustration. It shows that people are getting tired of stories that focus too much on exaggerated skinship and NC scenes, which can make them feel less real and meaningful.The writer, Sammon, is a brilliant author, storyteller, and doctor. I cannot help the way she lets me think things in a way I haven't thought before. I'm not a medical person, but her complex characters and their medical backgrounds make storytelling so interesting that I often found myself searching terms randomly.
At its core, this drama is characterised by overtly emotional scenarios that seek to elicit sympathy from the audience. Whether through tragic backstories, excessive pathos, or predictable character arcs, this genre often treads a fine line between genuine emotional resonance and manipulation. While it is undeniable that the storytelling of this drama is a powerful tool for eliciting empathy, the overuse of such devices can lead to a sense of emotional fatigue, which I'm having right now while writing this review.
One big problem with this dramas is that they relied too much on clichés. Characters often fit into predictable roles, like the tragic hero or the innocent victim. This makes the story less impactful and can leave the audience feeling disconnected. We want stories with more depth and variety, but when we see the same basic characters over and over, it's hard to connect with them. But what else can we expect from an 8-episode drama? Contradictorily, this might be the best they could deliver. I heard the word "Euthanasia" in Jojo Moyes's Me Before You. It broke me into pieces. For a long time I wondered what and whys, because I was uneducated in knowing the emotions and turmoils regarding the term. The best stories are those that invite us into the lived experiences of characters, allowing us to empathise without feeling manipulated. This drama made me think about it all over again. Surely it is depressing, but getting a new perspective on law and will definitely refreshed my knowledge and empathy towards the patients.
Lastly, I have to mention the chemistry of Kan and Tew, which made me go gaga over a simple finger touch. They proved that you don't need overly dramatic romantic scenes to establish a good story. All they did was depict two insane characters, one who abides by the law and the other one whose empathic self could not help but fall in love with someone they shouldn't be. There were moments when I suspected Tew was faking his fondness for Kan, but surprisingly, putting myself in all those situations, I felt so indecisive myself. The main selling point of this is the drama's unique premise and not relying on the romance part too much.
Overall, it's a must-watch for all the thrill BL watchers out there. This drama has its place in storytelling, a perfect mix of thrill and romance; a steady diet of it can leave audiences yearning for more substance. It reflects a desire for narratives that challenge rather than pander, that evoke genuine emotion rather than resort to cheap sentimentality.
Was this review helpful to you?
The cinematography made me feel like I'm watching my sweetest dream in 1280p!
Before this, I watched Unintentional Love Story and was disappointed with the mediocre storyline; I only watched for the second leads. But seeing their own story get portrayed this skilfully warmed my heart.To be honest, this storyline is also very common; I could literally predict what's going to happen, but I couldn't let go because of the beautiful, aesthetic, mesmerising cinematography! I was watching a series, but I felt like I was reading a poem. Although after all these interactions we still didn't get our answer. It's definitely complicated.
The best part of the series is its short yet resourceful runtime, and there weren't any annoying side characters to waste time on doing dumb shit.
If you're looking for something wholesome and cinematographically pleasing, then this one is perfect for you! It wasn't anything phenomenal or groundbreaking but a quick fix sweet candy to uplift your mood.
Was this review helpful to you?
49
203
10
4
1
5
1
3
6
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
11
7
1
