Anura

Cinematography 101/10, Moral of the Story 0/10

I'm only on ep 1 but I'll update my review when I finish the show, if I finish it, judging by other people's reviews. But my phone is glitching so I'm saving my notes now. Also this show is worthy of a review already.

The show is actually really good from the cinematography, the music, the actress is nearly too good for this show but she's also the biggest saving grace at keeping it interesting. I have read hundreds of shoujo mangas basically identical to this and it is kind of nice watching a really pretty KDrama version of everything I used to read. But also what's nice about reading, as opposed to watching, is I can skim past any boring/ridiculous parts. Bit hard to do that here.

I absolutely hate the premise of focusing on looks. It's giving 2005 cringe which I thought we'd long past. Even at 13 I would have struggled with a manga like this, let alone as the adult I am now. 1st episodes tend to be an ode to the original more than later episodes so I am holding out hope. Because this could be a great drama if it didn't include certain occasional but crucial sentences that are spoken. Even though there's been many newer webtoons/Kdramas that focus on looks (eg My ID is Gangnam Beauty) that was all about self reflection and insecurity. Whereas the premise of this drama is all about finding a good looking man, and not trying to improve yourself (even if it's just in the attractiveness department). Already in the first 5min of the show the friends are disappointed and near hateful/angry by her first boyfriend simply because he's not good-looking and they expect her to pick someone better looking, like that's so easy to not only come by but to seduce. And no mention at the very least of attempting to find a good looking AND nice man. Just "ew why would you only go for personality". And even though the FL at this point is redeeming, because she is very nice and happy with her "non good-looking" boyfriend. While she is also realistic that good looking boys probably wouldn't choose her, she also isn't giving the impression that she's settling and seems genuinely happy. However, a big however, when the 1st boyfriend turns into a disaster, does she say "my next boyfriend will be nicer than you" or something like" my next boyfriend will love me so much and treat me like a princess like I deserve." No! She says "my next boyfriend will be more good looking". Excuse me!!!!!????? That's the line you are going to use!!!??? Does this 1st boyfriend even harp on how good looking he is enough to think that will kill his ego at least? Because that's not particularly shown. Disgusting, terrible and absolutely kills all and any moral messages that could possibly come out of this story. This isn't even spoken as revenge, it's just spoken.

[Rant/Review for 2nd quarter of ep 1] When she's upset over their break up she says "what I regret most is not prioritising my own feelings, I thought this relationship would be good enough as long as he liked me." Uhhhh what??? Isn't the problem that he DIDN'T actually like you? Isn't being blinded by love worse than not? Or is she assuming she would pick perfectly if she actually liked the guy and therefore wouldn't date dckheads? Because I disagree.....wouldn't you see red flags better without the rose tinted glasses than with? Ahhh this drama keep pulling out the one liners that make no sense. It's actually so good if it's not for these occasional stupid lines. Her conclusion is actually to start dating good looking people... -.- should it not be don't date dckheads? Or take more time/be better at assessing people? And why are the friends supporting this? It's so illogically hypocritical to have someone date you because they were sxally attracted to you but didn't like you so you in turn don't look for someone to like but look for someone you are sxally attracted to.

[Review of last 30mins] I'm already hating one of the MLs. I have a minimum standard for douches and he does not even meet that. Usually MLs negative traits are being cold and rough but you can also attribute that to being independent lone wolves who've been hurt by someone/society and they need to protect their own self and ego. This guy is just popping other people's personal space bubbles, not by happenstance, but purely out of self serving selfishness that is completely and easily otherwise obtainable. For example it's one thing to knock someone over thinking it's the last item left but another thing to go out of your way to knock someone over to grab an item knowing full well there's many identical items available right there. // Skipping to the end, he somehow manages to turn 180 midair while someone is yanking on his hoodie (can confirm this is impossible without superpowers). And the episode ends with a "what the, what are you" from ML to the FL. All she did was fall down after dodging the same thing you were trying to dodge!? That really does not require any excess thinking and really kills the mood for what is I assume the writers attempt to set up a romantic link.

Conclusion: will keep watching but these logical fallacies are small but mighty.

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