DON'T watch MISS IN KISS - DON'T - SERIOUSLY this is a HEALTH WARNING - a *MENTAL* health warning. BRAIN SCRUBS do NOT exist yet and that's all that will help you forget it. just watch the last 2 episodes if you feel compelled to watch any of it. It makes the Korean version look like Shakespeare it's so bad. It's just BAD, NOT so bad it's good - it's just HORRIBLE.
I agree with a lot of what you said actually - Madame Antoine was the worst though as I just wanted to gut him like a rotten fish by the end. Most of the anti-heroes you can warm to as they do redeem themselves in varying degrees by the end - case in point, Sung Hoo in Noble, My Love. Started off an arrogant control freak ended up a control freak but one who was less arrogant and slightly less controlling.
But I have to disagree about Ying Dong (Qiao Kimi) he really did redeem himself in the end. Ying Dong also had his reasons for behaving as he did with his brother; which was gone into albeit lightly. Also let's not forget he also helped Rong Jin Xiu (Chen Joe) throughout and did many things to help her. He and his brother also reached an accord and he was a different person at the end.
For me, I wouldn't criticise any role played by Qiao Kimi now. It's said that a director's criticism of a role he played, thought to be this one in Cruel Romance, is why he finally felt driven to take his own life. Whether this story is true or not (or just the usual internet scuttlebutt), after reading it I resolved to leave the roles he played unmentioned except to touch on what a brilliant actor he was (and he was). He was an exceptional actor who made even badly written roles believable, and to be told that he was rubbish and should never act again, for someone already emotionally fragile........well, I've been in the same dark place and it's frightening how the idea of ending your life seems so reasonable and logical.
So, for me anyway, I just feel I couldn't criticise his roles, even the writing done by someone else. Too many stars take such criticisms to heart and feel alone and unable to cope. Too many stars and idols now feel death is the only way out. At this juncture I'd say avoid roles by any star that's committed suicide - it's only fair.
Other than that - you have a point; anti heroes are called that because they are the dark heroes and though they start as bad guys they end up as something more. For me they are better than the heroes as their stories are usually more interesting and their road to redemption more challenging than a faultless hero. They are also the ones the to make the tough choices a hero would avoid. But, as you say these anti-heroes are just too anti and not enough hero. WELL DONE on a great article. Is there anyway I can be alerted to more from you? oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :D
Likewise I only know I love you and okay in Thai, not going to get me far. I'll keep an eye out for it on…
That's such a good idea - I'm better with Japanese and Korean and I know a few words of Chinese too. Sadly my Thai is currently limited to 'okay', 'NO!' and 'I love you' (I've been watching and rewatching 2 Moons and Ugly Ducking Perfect Match respectively!) Hey being kidnapped by crazy ex (or soon to be) sister in laws is a real thing in Lakorns - those crazy women are more frequent than wasps on a soda can!! LOL!
Brilliant article - agreed with pretty much all you said. A tip here, one InK fan to another - DON'T watch the Taiwanese reboot. Seriously it's not a PATCH on the first one and is WORSE than the Korean one. The last 2 episodes are the only ones that don't make you wish for death.
Looking forward to your movies one - you've made me decide to go and rewatch some of my faves here.
Oh and Full House and Kiss Me - Mike and Aom......THAT icecream scene in Full House.....*swoon*
I liked these dramas but I would say this - it's difficult to review dramas you dropped. I speak as someone who stuck through to the bitter, BITTER end with Miss in Kiss even though it made me want to rip my eyeballs out and repeatedly stab my brain. However, I wanted to review it, am a huge InK fan and also stupidly prayed it'd get better - obviously God was on another call because, whilst the last two episodes didn't make me hiss and scream in agony, they weren't great.
At least when I reviewed it I could honestly say don't bother or - watch until your brain hurts (probably half way through eppy 1 for most people and eppy 3 for even hardened InK fans like me) and then skip to the last 2 because I've sat through it all and wouldn't inflict that suffering on my worst enemy let alone a complete stranger.
Heard the same and nothing to say they have. Which would be nice if true. ♥ But I'm such a hopeless old romantic!…
Yeah, I say we keep digging - we're bound to find out.
I mean I know someone who is a superfan of the Takumi series and goes to all the meet and greets that Watanabe Daisuke does and she says that she's under no doubt by the things that have been said when he did them with Hamao Kyousuke and then on his own now - there's just too much that gives it away they're a couple.
SO, I think if we keep digging we can find out if these two are just keeping on the down low because of Chinese censors..... *wink, wink*
Heard the same and nothing to say they have. Which would be nice if true. ♥ But I'm such a hopeless old romantic!…
well close friends or dating - still better than strangers as far as I'm concerned. It's nice that the couples from a lot of these dramas remain in touch (except in Addicted because apparently they were banned).
That said I still live in hope that one day Hamao Kyousuke (Hayama Takumi) and Watanabe Daisuke (Saki Giichi) will say they're together. I have to say that the Takumi movies were my first BL manga and films so they have a special place in my heart. ❤️
I pretty much completely agree with you! but. .also .. I have seen the whole series, though only up to ep.13 with…
Thanks IaAKU - your comments have helped me decide to watch it. I don't need consummated BL to enjoy the more romantic side of the relationship portrayed, but I was worried - given others comments - that it had ALL been removed and they were instead just being portrayed as close friends.
However, now I have more hope that the love side of the relationship has been kept.
If you're looking for something gay, don't look at Chinese dramas that have been made for this year. It's…
If China censors gay because it doesn't like it and makes it difficult for actors who appear in such dramas anyway then, whilst I don't hate China, I certainly don't have to like it as it's self inflicted.
There's more than 'suggested bromance' as one reviewer put it, this is basically BL. So I would say that whilst I loved it, as I do most if not all BL, if Boys Love is not your cuppa then steer clear. Admittedly it's not as obvious here as in the book - the book was BRILLIANT and I think it's translated on Wattpad I'm sure that's where I read it - but it's still BL and NOT'bromance'. I'd give a solid 8/10 because it changed the obvious BL to guess the BL because China doesn't accept Gay........their loss.
But I have to disagree about Ying Dong (Qiao Kimi) he really did redeem himself in the end. Ying Dong also had his reasons for behaving as he did with his brother; which was gone into albeit lightly. Also let's not forget he also helped Rong Jin Xiu (Chen Joe) throughout and did many things to help her. He and his brother also reached an accord and he was a different person at the end.
For me, I wouldn't criticise any role played by Qiao Kimi now. It's said that a director's criticism of a role he played, thought to be this one in Cruel Romance, is why he finally felt driven to take his own life. Whether this story is true or not (or just the usual internet scuttlebutt), after reading it I resolved to leave the roles he played unmentioned except to touch on what a brilliant actor he was (and he was). He was an exceptional actor who made even badly written roles believable, and to be told that he was rubbish and should never act again, for someone already emotionally fragile........well, I've been in the same dark place and it's frightening how the idea of ending your life seems so reasonable and logical.
So, for me anyway, I just feel I couldn't criticise his roles, even the writing done by someone else. Too many stars take such criticisms to heart and feel alone and unable to cope. Too many stars and idols now feel death is the only way out. At this juncture I'd say avoid roles by any star that's committed suicide - it's only fair.
Other than that - you have a point; anti heroes are called that because they are the dark heroes and though they start as bad guys they end up as something more. For me they are better than the heroes as their stories are usually more interesting and their road to redemption more challenging than a faultless hero. They are also the ones the to make the tough choices a hero would avoid. But, as you say these anti-heroes are just too anti and not enough hero. WELL DONE on a great article. Is there anyway I can be alerted to more from you? oh and HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :D
Looking forward to your movies one - you've made me decide to go and rewatch some of my faves here.
Oh and Full House and Kiss Me - Mike and Aom......THAT icecream scene in Full House.....*swoon*
At least when I reviewed it I could honestly say don't bother or - watch until your brain hurts (probably half way through eppy 1 for most people and eppy 3 for even hardened InK fans like me) and then skip to the last 2 because I've sat through it all and wouldn't inflict that suffering on my worst enemy let alone a complete stranger.
I mean I know someone who is a superfan of the Takumi series and goes to all the meet and greets that Watanabe Daisuke does and she says that she's under no doubt by the things that have been said when he did them with Hamao Kyousuke and then on his own now - there's just too much that gives it away they're a couple.
SO, I think if we keep digging we can find out if these two are just keeping on the down low because of Chinese censors..... *wink, wink*
That said I still live in hope that one day Hamao Kyousuke (Hayama Takumi) and Watanabe Daisuke (Saki Giichi) will say they're together. I have to say that the Takumi movies were my first BL manga and films so they have a special place in my heart. ❤️
However, now I have more hope that the love side of the relationship has been kept.