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Babies... the Toughest Job You'll Ever Love
A rebellious high school kid was left with the burden of a baby claimed to be his. Although the headaches were numerous, he came to love the child and grew up in the process, realizing what his parents went through for him. Nice addition is a brilliant neurodivergent girl who fell in love with him at first sight.Was this review helpful to you?
Average Romcom Elevated by Choi Jin Hyuk and Oh Yeon Seo
I was in the mood for something low angst, and this featured Choi Jin Hyuk and Oh Yeon Seo, both of whom I enjoy watching. I never read the manhwa, so I didn't go in with preconceived ideas, which was nice because I usually find screen adaptations of a favorite story lacking.The leads were appealing, and the best parts of the drama happened with their interactions. Romance lovers may be disappointed, as the relationship was held at arms length for a prolonged period, and then it was conducted in a business-like manner. I wanted to see the couple enjoying a honeymoon phase instead of having that lost to the ever popular time skip.
I added a half star because the last episode wrapped things up nicely and left me with a smile on my face.
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This review may contain spoilers
Toxicity in Every Shade and Hue
After watching several episodes, I decided nearly all of the characters, with the exception of the ML, FL, and a select few of their friends and family, needed to be placed in an airtight room and have the oxygen slowly pumped out of it.I kept having flashbacks to my dysfunctional childhood family. Unlike the ML and FL, who endured and accepted their abuse, I set boundaries once I became a mature adult. Real life isn't like a drama; toxic people don't often realize their toxicity and change their ways. It would be nice if reality functioned more like a drama.
The Good: The relationship between the ML and FL was a delight from beginning to end. ML's mother, the sweet and beleaguered wife to her malignant husband, realized at the end that she was also to blame for her daughter's distress and her son's condition, because she had enabled her spouse's vile speech and actions by not more firmly standing against him. The admission was too little and too late, but it meant more to me than the redemption of the "villains" in the story. I expect bad people to act badly; it's more horrifying when good people allow the bad to happen. Kudos to Tan Jian Ci. He was unrecognizable to me as the sweet ML from Filter. He made me absolutely loathe him in this.
The Bad: Toxic people don't often change in a short period of time. Yet, nearly every villain was either given a redemption story, forgiven outright, or had their outrages glossed over and forgotten. One person went to jail, and one person was divorced. Two out of about ten paid a price; the rest cried (and some didn't even do that) and were forgiven. To me, a real redemption consists of being sorry, asking the person who was hurt for forgiveness, and then atoning for the transgression. Atonement was lacking in nearly every case.
I fast-forwarded through the final episode. I lived through Covid-19 and didn't wish to re-live it. The scenario felt tacked onto the drama, which should have ended with the wedding.
I added an extra star because my Rewatch Value was so low. This was too stressful a view to want to sit through it again, regardless of how lovely the ML and FL were.
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Silly but Not Insufferable
The drama was a slapstick comedy about an out-of-favor military noble and a hostage pawn of a neighboring country. The pawn suffered from a split personality which initially drew the suspicion of the rough ML, but her elegant and kind personality captured his attention.I had to take breaks in watching, because broad comedy isn't my favorite. I'd keep coming back simply because the ML was so respectful of FL's autonomy, and that is often a rarity in Dramaland.
Added a half star because the ML insisted the FL should decide her own future. At every juncture when the 2ML wanted to protect her and prevent her from risky choices, ML would step in and champion her right to free will.
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More Like Eternal Suffering!
Ninety-nine percent of the suffering could have been avoided by the tiniest bit of communication, but that's drama life for you. Forget about love triangles—Eternal Love featured love dodecahedrons!Yet, for all the angst, the story was compelling, and the cast was captivating. The costumes and sets were beautiful. The CGI lacked only in the water scenes, where it was apparently fake (I can handle most fake mountain and orchard scenes, but fake moving water is so apparent). The OST enhanced the experience with poignant lyrics.
Kudos to Maggie Huang who played Su Jin, a character I loathed deeply. It was incredibly satisfying to get to the eye scene (you'll know what I mean when you watch). I had envisioned that scene and anticipated it for far too long! How gratifying when it actually happened.
Mark Chao was a new-to-me actor. He lacked the pretty boy image of many K- and C-drama leads; a masculine man was a nice change of pace. He was able to convey emotions well, even within his stoic character. As for pretty boys, they were in abundance: Gao Wei Guang with long white hair, Vin Zhang all dark and dangerous, and Yu Meng Long, Leon Lai, and Zhang He.
The series was long at 58 episodes, but it held my attention and soaked my hanky. "Tearjerker" should be added to the tags. It ended well, and I was left with a happy afterglow. Upon reflection, it's odd I felt pleased, as only about 2% of the characters had a happy ending! But they were the 2% I most cared about, so I'm good with that.
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Overuse of Filters Simulated Early-Onset Cataracts
Someone went to film school and wanted to try all the filters, light flares, bokeh, over exposure, vignettes, and out-of-focus shots. It was distracting. Too much of a good thing is still too much, and this wasn't a good thing. It's helpful when a drama uses different lighting or focus for flashbacks, and it can be effective in romantic scenes, but there wasn't a pattern or logic used that I could detect for the effects.The relationships between family and friends were more compelling to me than the romance, especially the one between brother and sister. Siblings are often depicted as adversaries in dramas; it was nice to see a supportive, loving, playfully teasing bond for a change. Also going against the trend was FL's stepfather, who was depicted as kind and caring to his stepchildren, often intervening for them with their overbearing mother.
For a drama that committed many of my least favorite tropes or devices (unbelievable amount of Time Skips, Noble Idiocy, Love Triangle, Break Up, Prolonged Unnecessary Misunderstandings, and Dumbfounded Mutism), the relationships and cute interactions kept me watching.
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They Get By with a Little Help from Their Friends
Hello, My Twenties! is a coming of age tale of young women living together in a share house. The interactions between the five women are warm and caring, with the occasional spat and temporary wars based on misunderstandings, different personalities, and the usual friction caused by living together.The giggles, friendships, and aegyo helped soften the extremely difficult topics the show presented: poverty, crushing guilt, violence, prostitution, murder, sexual harassment, and all sorts of trauma. K-dramas have the unique ability to present darkness with a gut punch but follow it with a warm human hug. Some could grumble that each trouble was presented simply and solved readily, but the drama was only 12 episodes long (and 14 for the second season), and it wasn't meant to be overly melodramatic or realistic. Let's face it: if a handful of women suffered all that under one roof, the Belle Epoque should have been burned to the ground as a cursed house! Instead, the focus was on endurance and survival by relying on one's self but by being willing to accept help and support from others.
It's unfortunate that the first character the viewer was introduced to was Yoo Eun Jae, who was the most bland and trying character. Thankfully, characters Song Ji Won and Kang I Na were captivating. Park Eun Bin was pure effervescence as Ji Won; I need to watch more of her work.
The OST is especially appropriate for the drama, following the highs and lows of youth with bouncy songs interspersed with slow, reflective music.
I added a half star for Park Eun Bin and the OST.
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This review may contain spoilers
Daring Speed in Thailand; Sputtering Love in China
Thrills and romance set in Bangkok, Thailand? Sign me up. I relished the change of scenery with the opportunity to view the dilapidated elegance of a major city. The day scenes showcased colorful waterways, and the night scenes were magical in neon. I'm not a fan of brutality, so the boxing wasn't for me (and, thankfully, was limited), but I relished the racing scenes and wouldn't have objected to more, especially if the FL were the navigator.The FL was adorable, but how could she not be when played by Esther Yu? I didn't realize until I double-checked that the continually smiling, sweet boy from My Fated Boy was He Yu, who now played a dark, dangerous, desperate man. Who knew such a cute Golden Retriever pup could transform into a snarling Pit Bull?
I was enjoying the drama (even the love triangle wasn't overly annoying) until the act of Noble Idiocy hit. I felt the momentum slow and sputter, and it never revved up after the ensuing time skip. I will begrudgingly admit that I could understand this instance of sacrifice more than most dramas, because of the FL's age. ML didn't want to take her future away when she hadn't even attended college yet, and he didn't want to saddle such a spoiled young girl with a handicapped husband.
Add a nice supporting cast and excellent music to round out my review.
Offhand remarks: I was visibly relieved when the ML got a haircut after the time skip. I had wanted to snip those uneven strands so badly! And the mother's outdoor garden in Canada in winter with tropical plants... they would all be dead after one night. Not only that, but the mother had all the doors and windows open in the house. They'd be celebrating the New Year with burst plumbing pipes and pneumonia! Canada is frigid in the dead of winter.
TL;DR: Romance and racing in beautiful Thailand, but the drama lost its momentum, sputtered, and stalled once it relocated to Nanjing, China.
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Dramatic Battle Scenes, Nice Romance, Epic Failure to End Satisfactorily
The cast, leads' chemistry, costumes, and OST were good. The story kept me invested most of the time. I loved the FL. She had an admirable character, and Zhou Ye played her well. Kudos to Ryan Cheng who had the best adoring looks as the ML.Nitpicks:
1. I'm all about female empowerment, but some of the speeches got too preachy. People accept points of view more readily when they are attractively and subtly presented, not when they are bludgeoned repeatedly with them.
2. The death of Yan He was telegraphed so hard in advance that it became a cheap and needless death.
3. Chu Zhao's character was a large part of the story, but his ending felt rushed and squandered. What a waste. He could have been an amazing villain or a compassionate leader after a redemption arc, but his character fizzled out.
4. If He Yan grew up as a boy and became a fierce general, she wouldn't have acted so timidly or cutesy, like hiding behind Xiao Jue while grasping him for protection. It would have been engrained in her to act masculine at all times, for fear of blowing her cover and losing her life.
5. During battle scenes, it's probably dangerous to seek out your loved one for a moony-eyed heart-to-heart talk or to sit and cry because you think your partner is dead when war is raging all around. Thankfully, the enemy respected that lovers need a break from battle and didn't skewer them with a spear. What is that? A love time out? A battle break?
6. No one noticed General Fei Hong shrunk overnight when He Ru Fei took He Yan's place? No one noticed the voice change? Or her delicate hands became manly? She was tiny, and he was average male sized. Major plot hole! I could suspend belief that beautiful He Yan was accepted as a male (not really, but I tried very hard!), but this was impossible to fathom.
Neither here nor there, but I don't believe I've ever watched a drama that smashed so much pottery to convey surprise, anger, and an utter disdain for the props budget. The director obviously loved the splash and crash of a smashed dish filled with liquid.
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The Many Views of an Attractive Torso
Come for the vampire, stay for the plot loosely stitched together purely by Dai Gao Zheng's handsome chest, which did its part admirably. Condolences to the FL for the writer skipping on her dialogue and forcing her to repeat the ML's name "Chong Yang" ad nauseum.Not much of a story, minimal budget, and haphazardly presented, but the OST and abs were good.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=1N6M-ZA-i_s
I added a full star for DGZ's torso. Such diligence in maintaining a fit body deserves acknowledgment.
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Exceptional Female Lead Versus the Toxic Emperor
The FL became one of my favorite leading characters: the actress exuded quiet strength and nobility of character. She was brave, intelligent, kind, and adventurous. I practically cheered when she told the ML that she'd read many instances in romance novels where the couple had silly misunderstandings, but she wanted to eliminate that with communication. How nice to avoid a ditzy FL and nonsensical misunderstandings!FL's relationship with the ML was built on mutual respect and trust. Their chemistry was so sweet and strong. There was a break-up, but it made sense and wasn't used clumsily to rachet emotion. FL was saddened, but she got on with life. I respect the writer for not trying to wring excess heartache from the situation; restraint was more effective.
The drama highlighted many issues women would have encountered in that era (and even now): abuse, infidelity, lack of free will, etc. It dealt with bullying, poverty, and political oppression. It featured numerous murders and torture scenes. And yet, I'm thinking about putting Blossoms in Adversity in my Fluffy or Low Angst list, because it's so life-affirming and comforting.
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From Trauma to Love?
I quite liked the ensemble cast. Each person brought something to the drama. I especially appreciated the brainiac friends; they kept things interesting. The noona romance of the model and stray cat boyfriend was my least favorite coupling (she was verbally and physically abusive to him), but I still liked the characters. The FL and ML were, naturally, the most compelling. She was immature, gauche, and had an explosive temper, but she was also brave, emotionally strong, kind, and had a strong set of personal values that made her likable. ML was a psychological mess, but I personally enjoy the overcoming trauma trope.This should have been wrapped up in one season instead of stringing the viewers along for an angst-filled nonsensical second season. Just one more episode, and the drama could have concluded happily and well.
An extra half star was awarded for the nice friendship scenes.
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It's Deja Vu All Over Again
The romance didn't hit right with me. I didn't understand why the leads were attracted to one another (guilt turned to love?). The only chemistry between them was in the test tubes in the lab. The drama would have been fine without romance, maybe even sharper and crisper. I appreciated the intelligence of the characters, but the loops did start to drag a bit. The ending was jumbled; I wondered if they'd been hoping for a second season, and that's why there were loose ends. Even so, the drama was entertaining, smart, and thought-provoking, and Bai Jing Ting was a joy to watch.Subtract a half star for that undeveloped romance, but add a star for the cast.
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Revenge is a Dish Best Served by Two Attractive, Intelligent People
It's blissful to view a drama with two intelligent, loving leads. It took them awhile to get to that point, but that was understandable considering they seemed to be on opposing sides in the beginning. And they did have a rather violent introduction to one another. Their slow journey toward each another was rewarding to watch. Great chemistry between the leads.During their romance, there was revenge and political court intrigue all about them, which gave many opportunities for individual stories of love and betrayal. Dou Ming's story arc gutted me; Miao An Su's surprised me; and Wang Ge's infuriated, then pleased me.
Fun fact: both leads had twin guards. ML had two males; the actors are twin brothers in real life. FL had two females; the actresses are twin sisters in real life.
Thanks to no 1 dou zhao defender for the recommendation! I truly enjoyed this.
An extra half star is awarded for bright characters, a refreshing change from the insipid FLs I've endured lately.
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The Confusion Starts with the Title—Why is There a Comma?
I watched this mini-drama (about 8 hours long) solely because of Fan Zhi Xin. He can play a charming scoundrel or a psychopath with disarming ease. There's a scene where he was heartbroken with tears in his eyes, but when he turned, his expression changed immediately to one of scorn. Great acting.I was relieved the FL was a mature, intelligent, self-assured woman (I'm tired of 30-year-olds who act like teens). She had great chemistry with the ML.
As for the bad, there were loopholes the size of hippos. The viewers were told the rules of the time phone, but the rules were bent or ignored repeatedly. And, dang, if I have two minutes to call someone to warn them of impending death, I'm not going to natter away about inconsequentials. It's like the perpetual fatally stabbed character in dramas who knows the killer's identity but grandstands to the final moment, saying, "I know who the murderer is! You'll all be surprised. You need to be wary. Watch out! The killer is..." And then the stabbed guy gasps and dies, and no one knows anything. Yes, the phone calls were exactly like that.
As with many time-altering situations, this drama was confusing. More so, because it didn't adhere to the rules. I doubt there are many viewers who can explain clearly what happened when and to whom. Add the dislike of time travel sequences by the Chinese censors, and the drama had its work cut out for it to make everyone happy (which is, of course, an impossibility); so, the entire drama could be construed to have been a bad dream.
I came for Fan Zhi Xin and time travel. I got Fan Zhi Xin and a bewildering romance instead.
I'm awarding an extra half star for Fan Zhi Xin's acting and the surprisingly nice OST that accompanied this short drama.
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