A 花より男子 (Hana Yori Dango); Meteor Garden show with political sibling rivalry
I. StoryIn a story with many important characters, it is important to tell it clearly, they did well in doing that. The political war between the brothers were interesting, they also picked a good period for the Korean version of a Chinese novel.
Sadly, the romantic aspect of the story was delivered poorly. It did not elicit any emotional reaction. There was no built-up. This is primarily a story about sibling rivalry gone to the political level.
II. Acting
It was lacking in some areas, there were also scenes which looked like they were practicing. There were also memorable scenes, from pure laughter to serious where their acting were very natural.
III. Music
The music, unfortunately, did not make an impact. There were scenes where a powerful music fits but instead it did not have any or a weaker music was used. They should've used more.
IV. Production
The production was very good. They spent for quality materials and designs for the wardrobe of the actors. This is specially true for IU where she was able to wear historical wardrobes yet with a modern touch which fits her aura. Great job in blending the two eras.
However, close-up shots were overused to the 5th power. It wasn't needed in many of the scenes, it became annoying. In the boat scenes, there was too much backlight glare from the sun the actors (again close-up shots) can be barely seen.
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The ups and downs of human relationships
School 2021 is shaping up to be the best in the School franchise. It's focused on human relationship, not just between students but between father and daughter and the adults.It's taking on serious topics without going too deep yet remains powerful and relatable.
The soundtrack is also good, very fitting for the powerful message they want the audience to absorb. And even the main characters are mostly newbies in acting, they are delivering their lines and emotions at the right place and at the right time.
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A real reprsentation. True-to-life stories
As expected! She knows her husband is having an affair. For an experienced divorce attorney such as herself, it is highly unlikely she doesn't know, much less a single suspicion.I mean, even ordinary people, they can know if their partner is cheating on them.
The problem is, you don't have proof. And even if you can get a solid evidence, you don't want to do it.
You'll think:
1. We can still fix this.
2. All I have to do is this and that and s/he will come back to me.
3. Maybe s/he just got lost temporarily, I trust him/her.
4. Keep praying and hoping.
5. Our career and reputation is at stake.
6. Our kid will suffer if the affair comes out. It's better to keep it buried.
The one who is faithful and with the suspicions, they start to weigh things. Who will have the most to gain if the affair comes to light? If you're on the losing end, it's better to keep it in the darkness and learn to live with it. Or, if you start thinking about your kids (if any) then even more so to keep the affair in the shadows.
Even IF you have an undeniable proof, it still comes down to: who'll gain the most if the affair is revealed. Is the cheating spouse? If the suffering spouse will gain the most, how about their children? How about your career and reputation, especially if you're in the field where you are a divorce attorney or a writer/author/blogger/vlogger who give relationship advises and tips?
I love how the writer, who herself is a real-life divorce attorney, exposes these things, these truths, to the audience directly, without softening it or making it dramatic. It's just the plain truth.
Yes, right from E01, it was already hinted that Attorney Cha is fully aware her husband is having an affair. The clues were all there. They simply sealed it in E02. It explains why Attroney Cha is the way she is.
We are who we are today because of our experiences. Attorney Cha is who she is today because of her experiences, and that includes how her marriage is broken.
Remember what she said in E01? Once a glass has cracks, you can never fix it. That is one such clue. You can never have such wisdom if you haven't experienced it yourself.
This is why the 2FL is the way she is. She still is living in a “paradise“. She still lacks the wisdom of truly living your life.
And… I've been there. LOL. I had my suspicions, and those suspicions were right. Those cracks? It is true your relationship will never be the same again because of it. What you'll do after, or how you'll handle it, is the only thing that matters from that point on.
Is it possible to restart fresh for the couple? Yes, it is possible. However, it only works if both are on the same page and have the same level of desire and maturity. Which, we all know, is rarely the case for us human beings.
So once again, 100 out of 10 for this show. It truly pays that it was written by a real-life divorce attorney. In addition, the writer demonstrated how important it is to consult with a person who actually is in that field or living such a life, or “grassroots” instead of consulting so-called “experts”.
This is what I call real and true representation.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.
The 2025 Korean supernatural film, «검은 수녀들» («Black Nuns»), is the sequel to the 2015 Korean supernatural movie, «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»). However, anyone who wants to start with the sequel has no need to watch the first as «검은 수녀들» («Black Nuns») is a standalone movie, and the two are almost identical in plots, twists, and execution.NOTE: The things written below were made in comparison with the prequel «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»).
The Good:
1. They gave the demon more dialogue.
2. The things the demon said are more in line with what's in the Bible, and more direct.
3. They gave the possession more screen time.
4. Less on the supernatural and more on realism. (No silly roaches; no "the demon finally started to use its power after it was caught")
5. Handled well the issue of "medical vs religion" when it comes to demon possession.
6. Brought into focus how skeptics handle witnessing demon possession.
7. Balanced relationship between Roman Catholicism and Korea's Shamanism.
The Bad:
1. Many scenes were a repeat of the scenes in «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»). They could've thought of something more unique.
2. Some dialogues were the same from the prequel. It doesn't have to be the same simply to pay homage to the original. It can be something else altogether since the sequence were the same already, thus the audience already are already aware at that point.
3. They didn't provide a clear background story to the primary character just because she'll sacrifice herself in the end. They should've done so to make the audience attached to her character. Her sacrifice was shallow, "I don't have a choice, I'll die anyway, so I'll die on my own terms and not because of this cancer". Surely, there was a very deep story behind her quick decision to sacrifice herself, it wasn't just because the same demon killed her mother.
4. The secondary character, while she was given a clear background story, they did not give her much to do. She was just an extra. Less than an assistant. While her role was important in the exorcism process, the film itself did not give her justice. Since they planned to let her character survive and join with the Priest from «검은 사제들» («Black Priests»), they should've given her more things to do, say, and screentime.
The Ugly:
1. The ending city sequence was totally unnecessary, especially those rats. It was so weird especially since two streets across everything was business as usual, no rats, nothing unusual. The timing was also weird. They were somewhere on the outskirts of the city, and they had to drive back in the middle of the city to get to a church? It was probably a 30-minute drive. Even if there were no Roman Catholic churches near the hometown of the possessed kid, they didn't have to find a church right in the middle of the city. They even showed the city's skyline and established how the kid's home was not in the city proper.
2. Why did they use the Snake again but different name? It was already the Snake in «검은 사제들» («Black Priests») for one of the twelve major demons, and that one was defeated. The one in «검은 수녀들» («Black Nuns») should've been a different one. Are they all Snakes? Or, trying to avoid the Dragon? If they're not afraid in offending Roman Catholics, then they should not be afraid in offending those who worship the Dragon.
That's all.
Oh, bonus, the numbers the demon mentioned were not random. However, I'm not sure if the writers intended that or had no idea about it. 😝
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Did I watch a theatre play or a TV drama?
What a masterpiece. «Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born» («정년이») gave us an unforgettable finale, and Kim Taeri (김태리), Shin Yeeun (신예은), and Woo Davi (우다비) absolutely delivered. These three? My absolute favourites.Here's why it stood out:
1. The editing? Flawless.
2. They filmed the theatre scenes as if it was a real performance. It didn’t just feel authentic—it _was_ authentic.
3. Every scene mattered. No fluff, no fillers. Just storytelling that hits hard.
4. They focused on what’s real: the relationships, the struggles, the rawness of being an actor, singer, or dancer. It wasn’t just about glitz and glamour. It was blood, sweat, and tears.
Now, about that finale. If you’re going to watch it, do it right. Big screen. Full volume. No distractions. It felt so much like a real theatre experience I caught myself clapping with the fictional audience, tearing up, and giving them a standing ovation.
Honestly, I don’t know if I just watched «Jeongnyeon» or an actual stage play. That’s how good it was.
100 over 10 stars to the cast, crew, writer, and everyone who brought this story to life. And a huge salute to every artist out there who pours their soul into their craft. You are seen. You are celebrated.
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And I will say it again, wow.
Episodes 1 and 2 were, in one word, awesome. Growing up in the Philippines, I have seen P-drama productions swing wildly from 'embarrassingly bad' to 'painfully laughable', but this? This passed my standards. Easily. I rarely say this, but I approve—at least for these two episodes. I hope, really hope, they can keep this same level of production quality all the way through.
## Anne Curtis
Anne Curtis. Let's talk about her first. She has always been a remarkable actress, but I have not watched any of her shows for years. Seeing her again in this series left me pleasantly surprised—her craft has matured, sharpened, evolved. She nailed her character's vibe, presence, and emotional depth. However… I just wished she spoke more Filipino.
Why? Every time she switches to English, something change, her delivery softens and the impact fades just a little. Meanwhile, when she speaks in Filipino, her lines bite, they carry weight, there is sharpness, a certain heaviness, a rawness that lingers. It is not the same when she goes full English. Taglish works fine—switching mid-sentence, flowing naturally—but pure English dilutes the emotion.
Now, I do wonder if this is less about Anne and more about the language itself. Filipino, and Pacific-Asian languages in general (not 'Asia-Pacific' which includes Oceania), is richer in tone, cadence, and expression. Even Philippine English, though unique, pales in comparison to the colour and rhythm of our native tongues. Maybe English just does not have the same emotional punch for scenes like these.
So, no shade on Anne. It might be a language barrier more than a performance issue. All the more reason for the writers to lean heavier on Filipino dialogue for her moving forward.
## Carlo Aquino
Carlo Aquino plays Matthew Gonzales, or 'Matmat', an autistic character. Based on what I have seen, Matmat most likely falls under Level 2 Support Needs, referencing DSM-5 (North America) and ICD-11 (Europe) standards.
Carlo's portrayal? Spot on. He understands his character is neither Level 1 nor Level 3. He did not overact. He didn not exaggerate. I could tell he researched well, respected the nuances of autistic behaviours, and truly grasped that autism is a multidimensional spectrum—not a linear scale. For that, I offer my sincerest respect and gratitude.
Same praise goes to the director, who clearly took the time to understand autism before stepping into production.
(Quick aside: while many in the autistic community, including myself, are not huge fans of these clinical labels, I am using them here since they are what most non-autistics understand. It is important to meet people where they are before unpacking the more complex realities.)
## Disabilities Representation
One thing that really struck me—they showcased a range of disabilities and mental health conditions from the very start. From episode one, it is clear: this story is to be taken seriously. And that, for me, is everything.
Again, I have no point of reference for the original K-drama. But seeing how the P-drama adaptation treats these topics with weight and dignity? I am here for it. As someone who absolutely despises discrimination and ableist nonsense, this matters to me.
Why does it matter so much? Because too often, disabilities are treated as:
- a joke
- a convenient plot device
- a random twist
- something light and comedic
- or a token flaw people can brush off with the dreadful "we all have disabilities" excuse (just… no).
I am hoping—no, I am begging—that this adaptation keeps this same serious tone and purpose, not just for the premiere but all throughout. I want this show to haunt people in a good way. To remind them of empathy. To make them think twice before judging. To normalise representation while also educating audiences about mental, social, genetic, and psychological conditions.
Because, after all, the title says it clear as day: **It's Okay to Not Be Okay**.
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* Cover image: Official poster owned and Copyrighted to ABS-CBN, used under "Fair Use".
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