chillingindoors

Feel good drama with mature characters and honest conversations

This drama filled my heart. This is what I would categorise as a "feel good" drama.

The characters clearly were not living fairytale lives and had their hardships and traumas to overcome, but the drama never dwelled on all that pain and sadness. We saw an honest attempt with characters reflecting on their lives and trying their best to live for the moment. It wasn't about forgetting the past and ignoring it, but rather accepting what happened and counting blessings for the people left behind, the time they currently have, and the future they can build.

This is why I love J-dramas so much, because it is not the plot or dramatic points that drive the characters, rather it is the other way round with characters driving the story.

I absolutely loved every character and couple in this drama and I would recommend this to anyone looking to watch something light yet healing. Watching this made me feel a little less lonely.

Special mention to the leads who really hit it out of the park with their acting. So much expressed through their eyes, and emotions. I teared up (out of happiness) at so many of their moments <3

All in all (and I rarely say this) - THIS WAS PERFECT.

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Home is a feeling, and this felt like home

This will go down as one of my favourite feel good dramas because of how much I loved every single thing about this show, from the actors to the characters they played, to the writing. I felt compelled to write this review, because I hope & want more people to watch this show, and shower their love for this gem.

The writing was definitely the winning aspect of the show, which was perfectly complemented by actors who brought the script to life. Whoever that casted for this show needs a raise because replacing any of the actors would not make this show what it is. The acting was A1 and the entire cast had explosive chemistry together. I believed in their world, and wanted to be a part of it so bad. Their interactions together (right from the main leads to the supporting cast) felt real, organic and fun. Watching them made me feel like I was third wheeling because it looked so intimate. Conversations would sometimes start at point A and end at point Z, making me grin. The fun was well balanced with the heart, in the way the characters looked out for each other, loved each other & supported each other. I connected with them, & rooted for them each step of the way like they were real people that I cared about.

Kitagawa Eriko clearly surpassed herself with this drama, giving us a peek into a mother and daughter's heartwarming journey, a journey of unrequited love & a journey of friendship. The writing was sensitive in the subtle way that the writer didn't feel the need for the characters' relationships to be defined or confined by terms. They were all special to each other without having the need for their relationship to be spelled out. Aoi/Gon and Sora/Hikaru did not need to be partners for their relationship to be any more complete. You can see there was unrequited love there, but it wasn't presented in a heart-breaking profound way. It was what it was (and I loved that they were all self aware of each other), & you can see that they would still continue to love each other regardless. Sora and Aoi, despite not being real mother/daughter were probably more intimate than any mother/daughter. All the characters were friends, yet they were more than that, and I love that the finale did not give us an answer to this. They may or may not be any more. It’s like a puzzle where every piece forms a crucial part for it to be complete. It’s the same thing with this drama. Each character came together to make this what it was & they would continue to exist in each other's world. They are all inseparable regardless of how their relationship to each other changes.

There was no major dramatic moment or climax or decision that the characters had to make, and this is where the writing shone so much in keeping you engaged with the characters' emotional states. The world of Uchi No Musume felt small sometimes with just these small group of characters interacting with each other, yet it was huge & limitless at the same time, thanks to how progressive & real it was. Don't ask me to describe the plot of this show because I don't know how to.

I love that the show represented characters of different age groups (right from college students Sora/Hikaru to old man Shinchiro) & subverted society's expectations of how they were to behave or be. And the show never told us that, it showed us that in the way the characters interacted with each other & in the representation of the turmoils they faced. Aoi despite being a 40 year old was ditzy. Sora despite being an otaku was not socially awkward. Irino who looked to be image conscious turned out to be a sincere & mature guy. Gon who seemed mature but was somewhat a manchild looking for love. Shinchiro despite being 70+ had romantic relationships & was technologically advanced. Sally acknowledging that she had toxic parents & was looking for the stability that calm 70+ Shinchiro offered. Wataru who did not have romantic relationships because he was waiting for his school friend (the show mocked this trope).

The ending OST was beautiful & while I don't know what it means, it always uplifted me each time it played with the credits rolling. The styling was on point (keeping the characters in mind). I love how all of them dressed comfortably most of the time. That felt real. The set design was extremely beautiful, esp Aoi's room which had clouds on the wall, and stars on the ceiling. I want a room like that so so bad. I love how Aoi's big white, expensive house was contrasted with Odaya's design that felt cheap and warm yet claustrophic. Interesting how most of the cast interactions happened there, in that little space, making it look all the more intimate.

I don't know what else to say except that it's been a long time since I watched a show that had me so attached to the characters, and their world that leaving this makes me feel sad. They will always be a part of me, and many years to come, I will be thinking of what they are up to. These were not just characters. For me, they were real people that exist somewhere in this universe.

S2 please, writer san!

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Imagine watching a rainbow after a long day :)

As usual, Japan is a CHAMPION in the slice of life genre. This is no different, from the heartwarming characters to the heartwarming conversations. In one word, this was UPLIFTING.

This is a drama that touches upon the lives of those living in a small village known as Niji no Mura. The FL relocates to that village because they are the only ones that hire her after she loses her job in a reputable hospital due to the discovery of her illness. She is distraught intially, but after moving to the village, she grows thankful for her illness that allowed her to meet these people in the village. While her job primarily is to cure them & help them out as a doctor, the relationship grows beyond that on the very first day that she relocates. The villagers are welcoming and warm. So are the surgeon and nurse, who she houses with in the clinic. As the drama progresses, we see how these people in the village are not just one community living together. They are essentially one big family that love and care for each other. They support each other on the darkest & happiest days. No one tries to exclude anyone. Everyone tries their best to understand & help each other.

The entire cast was perfectly casted & while there wasn't much of a plot, I tuned in each day to watch these people interact and support one another. The acting was BRILLIANT. This drama is all about human interaction & reaction. From the random to the heartfelt & meaningful conversations, to the tears & joy that just overflowed. It wasn't overtly sentimental or melodramatic but I found myself crying (both out of happiness & sadness) in each episode because of just how much I connected, and felt the characters & their conversations. For those of us (like me) who live in modern cities where we do not even know our neighbors or the people living on the same floor, this drama will have you craving for that sense of community support.

Special mention to the relationship between the FL, the nurse, and the surgeon. I have rarely seen a drama focus on such a beautiful platonic bond between two men and a woman. You even hear her say that she wants to hug them both & kiss them both because she just loves & treasures them so much. They support her on her toughest days & they argue like Tom & Jerry almost everyday. It was just such a WHOLESOME relationship.

The OST was an icing on the cake, especially the flute theme that made me emotional each time it played.

I don't want to give away too much about this drama. It is really an experience. I would recommend everyone to watch this. It will teach you a thing or two about being kind & compassionate to the people around you. Much needed in times of COVID where not only are people feeling isolated & lonely, many are being cast aside on the basis of their race or religion. This will show you what INCLUSION really is, & how inclusion is important for a mentally healthy society.

It is a 10/10 in every aspect.

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This was so brilliant I wanted more

3 short stories, each tackling various different issues (which I won't disclose), each of which were brilliant. It was like art, you got to watch it to understand it and appreciate it.

What makes this a must watch:

- Brilliant acting
- Great use of music at high points (and lack of)
- Brilliant writing - both dialogue and script (it was both natural and yet at the same time, so intriguing.. like the ideas the show tackled blew my mind. How did the writer think of those and how they executed it.. so so brilliant)
- Great execution; this could not have been pulled off without great direction and screenplay. An example would be the way his supernatural power was depicted with the different sized books and detailing in the books

I love the little details like how the ML wore the same clothes throughout.. I don't know how to explain it but it gave this feel of intimacy - like how we were watching his world through his mind the way he read others' minds.

I wanted each story / concept to be explored more but I guess the shortness also added to the charm? It's like the show was teasing you with these concepts and giving you the bare minimum, then leaving that with you to ponder on...

The only thing I would say that this drama really lacked was exploring the ML's eccentricity. We got to know him through the stories but I wish we saw more of what made him the way he was, the kind of mangas he wrote, and why he was so recluse..

I hope we'll get a 2nd season? Or the writer deciding to make more of such short stories because the show definitely deserved more time and has so much more to tell.

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My fav drama from 2023; Nojima Shinji is back with a bang!

A stellar combination of mystery + romance + psychological + slice of life.

First off, Nojima Shinji is one of my favourite screenwriters and I hate to admit that some of his works in the recent years have been underwhelming especially when we compare to the gems he wrote in the 90s and 2000s.

I don't generally write reviews but I got inspired to write this review because I loved this drama so much and want more people to see it.

What makes this drama so good -

(1) the screenplay; the way the story unfolds keeps you on the edge of your seat till the last scene. Trust me, you won't know where it is going.
(2) the story - it is original, it is creative, it is edgy. Once you start, you will find yourself binging it all the way.
(3) the writing; the sensitivity and care with which the characters and their relationships are written. I could see Nojima Shinji has evolved because this wasn't as dark, and there was a healing element to it (something most of his dramas lack)
(4) the acting - each cast member was perfectly casted.
(5) the romance - again, not your typical romance. But some of the scenes between the leads got me squealing. In the case of this drama 'less is more' really worked.

Everything about it is good. The only reason I gave it a 9.5 is because I do wish we got a little more of the leads' at the end. I wanted more of them. Hoping we'll get a special on them, though I doubt :(

For those who want to watch something different, don't hesitate to give this gem a try!

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Addictive hot mess but a disservice to mental health

Did I enjoy this drama all the way? YES.
Was this a good fictional story in general? YES.
Was Kim Yoo Jung’s performance brilliant? YES.

BUT and here comes,
For a show that introduces the FL as someone with antisocial personality disorder, did this do a good job? NO. Yes Ah Jin has traits present in people with ASPD but is it not a disservice to paint people wjth this disorder as a monster and as evil? Shouldn’t the drama actually delved into her psychology and into understanding how her traumas, her experiences made it difficult for her to connect with others and empathise with others? Having the FL repeat her trauma and act like a victim who has been wronged is mere surface-level characterisation and understanding of ASPD.
If the drama did not want to talk about mental health, why label her as someone with this disorder? What a freaking disservice this was to people who deserve treatment rather than merely being labelled as diabolical / evil / monstrous. Who is Ah Jin beyond the person that is always trying to survive? What are basic likes and dislikes? Who are the people she loves? People with ASPD are capable of loving.. just that they don’t love the same way “normal” humans do.

The documentary framing Ah Jin as a criminal while everyone else became a victim was unfair. What about Ah Jin’s perspective? Again I’m not defending or justifying her actions, but the black and white perspective and one-note characterisations the show re-iterated time and time again was really baffling.

What was the point of the CEO’s character? Was it to merely add some thrill to the show? Till the end I did not understand the purpose he served to the story and to our understanding of Ah Jin’s journey.

Ah Jin used all these men, yes. But she did not put a gun to their heads. If we talk about Ah Jin’s choice in making the horrible decisions she did, we need to talk about Jae Oh and Joon Seo’s choices. Ah Jin never promised them love or flowers. She was clear that she needed them and they willingly stepped in.

Jae Oh’s death made absolute sense. But what about Joon Seo? For someone who “loved” Ah Jin, he never tried to understand her. He always assumed the worst of her, saw her as someone making use of others but never saw her the human. He never saw her as someone who needed support or help. He saw her as someone he wanted to control, someone he hoped would change for him and in the end when she pushed him away, he exposed her to tie her down. His death was no act of martyr. He brought it upon himself. But my question is - why? The writer had the choice to either (1) have Joon Seo walk away as he did 2 episodes prior to the finale or (2) have Joon Seo expose Ah Jin and get her treated. I did not understand his let’s-go-to-hell-together like the writer was trying to spin this into some epic Romeo / Juliet romance. Also what was Jun Seo’s motive in exposing Ah Jin?

And the ending- I am a fan of open endings but this was one of the worst endings the writer could come up with after this journey. Yes she’s alive somewhere and she’ll probably continue to manipulate her way through but humans can’t live their lives on this repeat cycle all the way till the end. There has to be a stop or a change in pattern. In Ah Jin’s case it could have been death, treatment or insanity - either of the three could have been used to conclude her journey but the writer did so in the laziest way.

Also what kind of message does this writer want to give out with Ah Jin surviving while everybody is dead? Again this would have worked as a work of fiction but adding that tag of ASPD did this a huge disservice.

Do I recommend this? Yes. It wasn’t a bad drama per se. The performances were top notch, the score was haunting, the vibe and the dark relationships were different from the usual South Korean dramas. But having said that, this clearly fell shot of being a stellar drama because the complexity of the characters were not fleshed out well enough. In the end, I left this drama not understanding what the CEO, Ah Jin, Jun Seo and Jun Seo’s mum even wanted because they were all just so one-note and didnt feel like actual human beings with a gamut of emotions and a life beyond Ah Jin.

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All hope's not lost with social distancing

Set in the time of the pandemic with characters spotting masks, having to practice social distancing & reflecting on the changes the pandemic has brought on their world, this was a thoughtful, adorable and heartwarming drama with some equally beautiful love stories. WHAT A FREAKING GEM!

There was nothing dramatic about this show. It is as good as it gets when it comes to presenting real people facing real problems in the real world. We're all living in one world but we see it all so differently, whether you're a kid, a psychologist, a HR manager, a doctor or just an office worker. And these different perspectives are what makes interactions and character dynamics so fun to watch.

In brief, it is one of those dramas that everyone will relate to in so many ways
- the pandemic and how our world has changed
- the loneliness so many of us are facing
- intimacy in a relationship
- real characters
- online dating
- communication in a relationship (how difficult and important it is)
- office culture

I finished this drama feeling emotional yet hopeful for the world we're living in.

Great writing, acting, screenplay all around. WATCH IT!

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THE FILM THAT SHOULD BE MADE MANDATORY VIEWING FOR ALL

The title is pretty apt because a hungry lion is a predator that sees nothing but food. He sets his eyes on the meat, and will stoop to all means to grab it, even violence, and feel satisfied after eating it. And that's what the FL fell prey to. The hungry lion.
The poster is also pretty genius with the way her eyes are blurred, making it appear like institutions are trying to protect the identity of this teenager, when in reality her name and information is made public for all to see. That's why they say actions speak louder than words.

Now on to the movie -

A brutal, thought-provoking, disturbing hard-hitting and painfully real depiction of everything that is wrong with society;

(1) The way people engage in small talk & spread rumours about others without regard, and ruin another's life - regardless of whether she was the woman in the video or not, she didn't deserve to be filmed. People should have been kinder and shown her so much more love instead of spreading the rumours further and isolating her, that too when she constantly denied being the person in the video.

(2) The inhumanity with which society bullies and isolates others - right up to after her death, people talked about her as a slut or a bitch like they've never had sex themselves. Did they think even once about how they would feel if someone did the same to them? She stopped going to school, random men were approaching her outside school; why did people not protect her instead of furthering the narrative that she's easy. ALL JUST TO SUIT THEIR OWN STORY.

(3) The way family and social institutions fail to protect victims and try to make news out of them,
The dean isolated her and asked her to quit school and after her death says bull like please speak to adults because they will protect you. Her sister slut-shamed her instead of giving her a hug, but after her death we don't hear her voice at all. That might be her way of detaching, but that also points to her cowardice. Same for her mum who questioned her daughter if she was the one in the video, but didn't shut the journalists up after her death. Not only that, she brought home a man who pointed out her daughter's low skirt instead of being sensitive to the fact that they're all women in the house. The teachers constantly saw the way she was being bullied but didn't say a single word. They should have asked the kids to shut up, and given them a lecture on being sensitive. The way news outlets continued to publish news on her, making it look like they were looking for the truth, when in reality they were just en-cashing on her death. Nobody truly wanted to know the truth. Nobody wanted to understand what she went through. She went from being a slut, to a hero, to a victim because the narrative changed as it suited the news outlets.

(4) The patriarchal & predatory mindset with which people view women who have sex as 'easy' and think they can just have her without her consent - The audacity to ask her how far she went with Hiroko, and then rape her even when she refused. And then to throw her panties out of the van in a light-hearted manner saying they had fun, while she is standing there, sapped out of energy. The way strangers came looking for her after school thinking they'd have a go to satisfy their kink. Go to a prostitute. Why bother the school girl? Disgusting.

(5) The incorrect messages we send out - men who have sex with tons of women rejoice over "I did her" while the woman in the same situation is slut-shamed. Men are encouraged to have fun, while women are taught to be cautious, and maintain a clean, virginal image.

(6) Suicide - this film presents this issue freaking brilliantly. Her suicide is first met with opinions of 'the bitch / slut killed herself", then she is made into a victim who was kind and wrongly accused, and then she is made into a hero. While the girl who came in support from Fukouka seemed like the only sane and humane person, her act of putting the FL on a pedestal and calling her a hero highlights the problem of society. People are led to believe that killing themselves is the only way out, the only way they would be heard, and given a voice. And after a few weeks, people move on like the incident never happened, just like her family moved out of the house [leaving behind empty walls and rooms] to a new place probably looking for a new start.

Every damn thing about this film (its an endless list) was powerful and triggering. It made me mad and sick to my stomach. I ugly cried. I just don't have the words really because this has left me feeling empty.

And to think, this happens every day in some corner of the world. Films like this make you realize how the world can be a flower bed for some, and thorns for another. We talk about finding sufficiency and self-love in our own self, but is it really possible when no one is on your side, and everyone is only trying to push you over the edge? I honestly doubt that she wanted to kill herself. I think she tripped. But does it matter? Because the way things were going, she would have killed herself eventually. No one, literally no one was on her side. How could people be so inhuman?! But people are, and this film presented just that.

The film's brilliance also lies in the fact that we never get a clear cut answer as to whether she was the girl in the video or not. Because it would be easy to term her a victim if she wasn't. But I love that the film makes it clear that the answer doesn't matter. She is a victim nonetheless. Another bold move is the fact that she is not a virgin or a shy girl. She is outgoing, she does have sexual relationships with men, and she is beautiful. Regardless of that, she did not deserve to be slut-shamed and is a victim.

Even though there are many take-aways from this film, the biggest lesson I have learnt is to ' live and let live'. Focus on your own life and growth rather than spending time spewing hate on another.

On to the technical aspects - the way it was filmed may make it look like a low budget film but that's what made this even more powerful. Every scene and frame looked so real, like you were viewing the world from the character's perspective rather than watching a film. The documentary-like filming style also worked perfectly in creating this disgust you feel towards each and every person in her life. It was too real.

The acting - for a heavy-duty film like this, its interesting that there was hardly a scene of the FL crying or any rage expressed. But you could see the way she slowly withdrew and became lifeless.

The story and script - Freaking A1 from the start to the end. Not a single filler scene. Every scene tells you something, and leaves you thinking.

It's a flawless short film and I highly highly recommend this for all, even though it is not an easy watch and will trigger even the hardest of hearts. I just had to write a review because that is how much I just want everyone to see it.

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The Glorious Drag and Plotholes Galore

For a drama that received so many rave reviews and has such a high rating, this was such a disappointment.The key elements of a good revenge drama are (1) great acting, (2) good writing that fleshes out the psychology of the characters well, and (3) well-crafted and tight-scripted execution of the revenge with attention to detail (good screenplay, editing, and writing). I thought Part 1 was average (still watchable though), but Part 2 dragged too much, failing on all 3 levels, with long-drawn monologues and character arcs amounting to nothing, abuse / violence shown for shock value and plotholes that became bigger.
All in all, an average drama that does not deserve the hype and ratings it got.

---------------------------------------SPOILERS AHEAD -------------------------------------

Let's get the pros out of the way first:
1. Great acting by the entire cast, barring Song Hye Kyo.
2. Good cinematography.
3. Decent score (nothing memorable though)
4. The actor who plays Ye Jin's husband - his scenes with SHK were oozing with natural chemistry and spark. I ended up empathizing with him more than the FL because he was the only character in the series that was written with some depth and care.
5. Fitting end for Ye Jin and Je Jun; how satisfying!

Other than that, everything about this drama was a miss.

1. The one-note characterisation with all the characters continued. We never got to know the bullies beyond the abuse they meted out. Their scenes were all about hurling curses at each other rather than doing anything substantive. We never got to know why the hell they let her drop out so easily when they were so cruel. We never got to know about what others in that school went through other than So Hee and our FL. Ye Jin is shown to be someone with zero empathy and then they show that her daughter is her weakness? That makes no sense.
We never got to know the FL beyond the revenge. What was she like before the abuse and how she changed. That mini montage of her smiling in E15 was something that we needed to see more of, not the abuse. How was her personality shaped by the years of isolation and living with the scars of the abuse?
Why was Ye Jin her main target when Jae Jun violated her as much?
She couldn't become an architect because of the abuse. But then she educated herself and became a teacher? So why didn't she become an architect then? Why was it crucial for her to even become a teacher? All that she did could have been done without becoming a teacher LOL
Her PTSD was conveniently used when it served the plot, and conveniently ignored when it didn't. You're telling me she was scared of seeing meat, but has the confidence to face these bullies headstrong time and time again?!
Just how did she make so much money to afford 2 cars, 2 different apartments, those expensive clothes, and all the expenses?
Don't even get me started on SHK's bland, expressionless acting in so many scenes. She's been in the industry for 30 years and yet, her acting has never been improved and remains unconvincing.

2. For someone living her entire life planning this revenge, she was overtly reliant on random alibis that came out of nowhere like the housekeeper and the doctor. What if they didn't turn up? What was her plan even? Just be a homeroom teacher and torture them? The homeroom plot served nothing and her torture was achieved with the help of these two people. As I suspected, the housekeeper was caught and then they showed her getting abused more.. Can someone explain their arrangement to me? Wasn't the FL supposed to kill the housekeeper's husband? So what was she waiting for? They didn't even address that plot point.. because they conveniently just wanted the bully to find out that weakness and exploit?

3. For someone executing a so-called revenge, she revealed her cards too soon, rather than slyly infiltrating herself into their world and then revealing herself in the end. That made the whole drama unrealistic because if these bullies had that much power at school, that too as kids, then imagine the power and influence they would have as adults who are heirs to various empires. Who is she? Just a nobody. The fact that she revealed herself to them one by one at the teacher's residence, the store, then the alumini event and the classroom.. and you're telling me these influential bullies did nothing after that?! She continued to walk around carefree. Given how violent they were as kids, why was the FL not kidnapped or drugged or killed after she became the homeroom teacher? Again you want me to believe they just let her be so that she can play out her domino effect and games?! all the way till the end, these bullies with all their influence and power did not manage to do find anything to blackmail with her or do something to her? The biggest plothole right there.

4. The relationship with the mother - As I suspected in part 1, the mother was found and used against the FL. Again, stupid decision on the writer's part to have the FL just leave her mother there in the lion's den when she has apparently been planning the revenge for over a decade. Second, what was the point of this whole angle? Other than adding another sad sub-plot and more abuse to the drama, what was the point of the mother's character? Why did she wait all these years to put her mum away?

5. Not only did the doctor have zero chemistry with the FL, his character added nothing to the story. I never understood why he fell in love with her in the first place, and why he was so supportive of the revenge (to the extent of revealing his identity to the bullies) and housing her when he didn't know anything about her. Also why did we need his side story with the person who killed his father?

6. That man who buried the guy and Ye Jin's mother - YAWNNNNN. Again, what did this sub-plot achieve? Can't even remember their names.

7. The teacher who took upskirt photos of the kids - Again, what did this sub-plot achieve? It's not like Ye Jin's husband wasn't aware that Ye Sol isn't his daughter.

8. Why was the reveal of Ye Jin killing So Hee on the rooftop dragged to the end? It's not like we didn't know that it was her. That was hinted within the first few episodes.

9. The FL's dialogue to the doctor in the last episode "How could I do this to you just because I am a victim".. HUH?! So what was Ye Sol and Ye Jin's husband's fault? She did all this for revenge because they tortured her and she has her justification for it. This dialogue ruined her character for me, because if you're taking revenge, just own up to it rather than trying to act righteous. Two wrongs don't make a right you know.

10. Ye Jin lost it all in the end (THAT WAS GREAT) but how was the FL not at all curious about what happened to Je Jun at the end?! Again, I never understood why she wanted revenge mainly on Ye Jin and not Je Jun...

11. Why the added plot twist of Gyeong Ran being involved in the murder? How did it add anything to the plot other than increase the length of the finale?

12. The ending scene. NO COMMENTS. They could have chosen an impactful ending monologue about bullying but they chose 'I love you' instead. SIGHHH.

13. The length - THIS DID NOT NEED 16 EPISODES. This could have been told in 10 episodes. K dramas really need to learn to cut down on their length especially when they don't have enough material to keep the show going. In this case, there was potential but the writer chose to add in characters that were not needed, repetitive scenes, filler scenes that added nothing to the plot rather than actually fleshing out the characters of the FL and the bullies, and giving us a strong fight between the FL and the bullies.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Highly recommend these revenge dramas instead, where the writing, pacing / length and performances are steller.
Zeni Geba
Bump Off Lover

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A drama that forces you to think - was Lichuan selfish or selfless?

Please do not read this review unless you've seen the drama. I usually refrain from posting spoilers but because this is one of those dramas that can't actually be reviewed without really discussing what happened.

Does this have much of a plot? No. In short, the man is trying to keep the woman he loves away from discovering why he left her. He left her because he was dying. They wouldn't have to go through so much had he not pushed her away, but he did and he remained sincere to that till the end, and that is where for me, the beauty of this drama really lied.

Watch this for Lichuan because this is his journey through and through. Godfrey Gao did such a good job as Lichuan.

For many, this was repetitive because he kept pushing her away. For me, however, I viewed this drama, the leads' relationship and Lichuan very differently.

Yes, he was selfish because his actions hurt her, but at the same time, he was also very selfless in that he didn't want to share the pain with her, and what moved me (i also hated it at the same time) was that till the end, even after she finds out the truth, he doesn't budge, and forced her to leave. It was just so selfish and cruel yet selfless and moving at the same time. You got to really watch the drama to know what I am talking about. The sincerity, his love for Xiao Qui and just how strong-willed Lichuan was moved me, really.

The side characters were nice as well, with no one being irritating or evil. I was moved by Jichuan, Renee and grandfather's love for Lichuan in that they always placed him above their own affairs, and always gave in regardless of his stubbornness or even tantrums that came as a result of not being able to stay with Xiao Qiu. I constantly felt that Lichuan was so lucky to receive so much love.

Xiao Qiu was also persistent, stubborn and frustrating at times because he wouldn't let her in, but you know she came from a place of love. She gave him her all and when she was forced to leave towards the end due to the way he hurt himself, I felt her pain so strongly. You feel like she's scarred for life with the way Lichuan treated her (she never really got her closure), but at the same time you also understand why Lichuan just had to push her away in the first place because that's precisely what he didn't want her to go through, and he had use the last resort because he couldn't involve her and ruin her any further.

I loved the ending because it stayed true to Lichuan's intentions from the start, so even though she knew what happened, he managed to keep her away from being fully involved.

Yes, it is complex, and I don't think this is a drama for everyone, especially not for people who want a cute, fairytale love story with a happy ending. It is a fairytale rooted deeply in reality and just how complex humans can be.

The only downside would be that I wish the leads had more time and more happiness together so as to balance the heartbreak that followed.

Also, RIP Godfrey. Gone too soon!

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A journey of 2 individuals who learn to love and respect each other

This is the drama that had me join MDL :)

A drama that is worth watching for the following reasons (in brief, without spoilers) -

1. A male lead that grows into such a beautiful, gentle, caring and respectful young man
2. A female lead that grows from a scarred, lonely soul who believes in an eye for an eye to a beautiful, loving young woman who learns to be patient and forgiving
3. A very subtle love story where leads fall in love with each other gradually (you won't be able to tell the exact moment when he falls in love with her)
4. Great scenery, and music (the BGM that plays for them in the romantic/sad scenes kills me each time)

The writing for the first 12 episodes or so is absolutely perfect, not saying that the 2nd half isn't great. It is, in terms of the progression of the leads relationship, especially E15 which is absolutely beautiful. I know that many people complain about the lack of romance in this show but what makes this show so romantic for me is the fact that the leads were able to acknowledge their mistakes, forgive each other, move on from the past and start on a clean slate.. like that is so freaking rare in lakorns where leads just move from hate to love without even acknowledging the way they mistreated or direspected each other. I cannot emphasise enough on how much I loved the respect and understanding the leads shared. Their conversations, scenes were so so beautiful. They had such warm, gentle chemistry which is another rarity amongst lakorns.

The villain's arc in the second half drags on, and I wanted more of the leads in the last few episodes, and that's the only reason why I wouldn't give this show the highest rating.

The acting was believable. Everybody did their best. Yes, there were some characters I disliked but none of them were bat shit crazy.

I stopped myself from giving out the story or what really happens because you got to watch it to feel the drama that this was. All in all, its a drama that is totally worth watching!

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Justifying it all in the name of love

Set in a quaint little seaside town with no villains or overtly antagonistic characters, it may appear feel-good and breezy (like the majority call it), but it was far from it. I'm probably in the minority who did not love this drama. There were so many problematic elements in the various relationships that were brushed aside and justified in the name of love. I have no issues with characters that are grey, flawed, complex or problematic. My issue is when characters' complexities are justified to make them appear ideal, when they are far from that. Not to mention, the surface level characterisations which really irked me. In the end, none of them felt real, even though it started with so much potential.

I guess it's worth a watch for those who love the regular K drama romances and are not looking for anything too different, deep or substantive to watch.

-----------------------------------------SPOILERS-----------------------------------------

Let's talk about the decent parts of the show first:

- Our dimpled leads had chemistry.

- Their banter and comfort in the initial episodes eg. scenes like when she challenged him to solve the maths equations or when she told him off - that was the dynamic I fell for

- South Korea's quintessential grandmother and her friends. Loved the natural banter and their relationship

- The 2 kids ended up being the most mature characters on the show. Loved their bonding and camarederie.. I tell ya they're gonna date in the future.

- The police officer and Mi Seon's relationship was sweet and I love that they communicated.

- Glad that the cafe owner's dream to be a famous singer again wasn't forgotten and brought back in the finale

- The ending scene; there was something very endearing about it


Now let's talk about the problematic elements:

1. Doo Shik –Yes, Doo Shik is a nice, considerate guy but after the leads got into a relationship, I no longer saw the guy I loved; the guy who talked informally to her father and was very upfront with him without the niceties or pretence that he must be respectful to her father. She wants to hide the relationship – OK. She hits him countless times to hide the relationship – you’re cute. She introduces him to her so-called friends and brags about graduating from an A1 school and tells him to talk to her friends in a respectful tone – OK. She buys the expensive necklace – Do whatever you want with your money. He never told her that she can't cook. That’s great, but where was his opinion in all this? Respect isn’t silent agreement. It is about stating your opinion and letting the other know that you’re ok the way they are. Silent agreement is either subservience or being avoidant. You’re telling me a minimalist like him has no opinion with her lavishly spending. A guy who wants to live his life his way played golf to impress her friends. This is the same guy who asked her how many friends she has, and she said Mi Seon. This guy knew these friends don't care for her.
Their relationship came across as superficial with just them either acting cutesy or discussing things for the sake of it (with no real issue actually discussed). There was so much potential to show banter and love between a couple that are very different from each other, but the show chose to take another route in making him too nice and accepting, and her being tamed and overtly clingy towards him.

Let’s talk about him before they got into the relationship – when Hye Jin first walked off stating that the villager ought to stop spreading rumours about them, Doo Shik went after her and told her “you have not changed”. After they got into a relationship, he said “you have changed.”
My question is why does she need to change? There was nothing wrong with her at all. Yes, she spoke her mind and was blunt, but it’s not like she never had empathy. She stuck to her business, did her thing. Yes he drew her out, helped her become closer to the villagers, but again, what is wrong if she chose to stay in her own zone?! Why does she need to fit into his expectations as a nice amicable girl who gets along with everyone like he does. Why not accept her the way she is? I hate how she was always proven wrong to prove him right.

Why was his past kept all the way to the end? Why wasn't it infused into the plot? For someone so guilt-ridden, I am surprised that they made him into such a sunshine character. Yes that was a disguise to hide his pain (as the show liked to call it) but I disagree. He looked pretty content to me. Again the show conveniently used his guilt as and when needed, and in the end, it was simply used as a plot device to create angst between the leads and probably add some mystery to the ML. SIGHHHH.
Once the past was revealed, everything went back to being hunky dory.

2 . What was the need to establish a childhood / past connection? Or that she saved him on the bridge that day? Why can't SK dramas move on from this trope especially if it serves nothing to the plot. Even if they didn't meet when they were young or she didn't save him on the bridge, it wouldn't change what they share or make their love any deeper.

3. Hye Jin – A character with sassy potential that was sadly tamed. Till the end of the drama, I never found out about her. Little details were thrown in about her- she had to earn her way to college, she got into an accident during college and suffered a herniated disc, she had a relationship with a guy who dissed her resulting in her taking off her specs and dressing better the next day, she came to Dongjin to make some money. But what do these details even tell us about her? Her dreams, her insecurities, her psychology? Nothing. How did she change from the girl who didn’t eat and focused only on her studies to a girl interested in pretty and expensive things? How did she turn out so vibrant having lost her mother at a young age and fending for her alcoholic father. Nothing was addressed. The only point the show made was that she “changed” as Doo Shik said and became more amicable. While I didn’t like the way she softly pressurised Doo Shik into revealing his past, was she wrong? Nope. But again, she came around, as she did with the other villagers which I’ll discuss below. I wish she took up the job opportunity in Seoul and had a long-distance relationship with him instead. Again, her ambition took a backseat for him. I refuse to believe that she will be happy living in this town all her life because that's not who she is.
Who styled Shin Min Ah in this? The clothes were way too loose for her and did not do justice to her frame and beauty.

4. The villager who slut shamed Hye Jin (said she was having a thing with both guys) and even referred her patients to another and looked down on her profession was justified in the name of grieving for her daughter and letting her do whatever she wants as long as that makes her happy. Are you kidding me?! Just because you are grieving. it does not give you a right to spread rumours about others.

5. The pregnant store owner and her husband – there was constant neglect in that relationship with him not caring about her feelings, or her needs to the extent of him saying shit like “Why can’t you undo your own shoelaces” to a freaking pregnant woman and the only redemption he gets is that “I’ll treat you better.” The worst is that till the end, he didn't even realise what the problem was. She gave birth and there, it's done. Everything brushed aside in the name of upholding the sanctity of marriage and the writer convenient blaming it all on her, showcasing her as the toxic one screaming at him in the last episode and him remarking that it was better when she was pregnant because she was drunk. Welppppp.

6. Similar thing with the landlord and her husband. Why did she even divorce him when she wanted to hold on to him all the way till the end? How is this woman ok with getting back with a man who confessed his love for a younger woman just a while back, and now suddenly wants her back because he got scared that she might move on with another man and not give him the attention he is used to. Her insecurities, his disloyalty and mistreatment was all just brushed aside in the name of love once again. In the end, I felt sad for their son (the most mature character on the show) to have to witness all this. Don't even get me started on the random LGBT angle with the young woman liking the landlord instead of her husband, and the landlord acting like she knew. If she knew then why did she ask this woman to not accept her ex-husband? Did the writers conveniently forget this scene HAHA

7. Hye Jin’s father was justified in the name of loving and caring for his daughter when he called Doo Shik a man with a flaw because he was an orphan. WTF?! How will her marrying into a rich family ensure that she's not lonely?! Just like your wife died, her to-be husband could die as well you know. Again WTF?! What about the father's flaws? Admitting that you neglected her is not good enough. Merely buying her a plant is not called making up for your mistake. Did he even try to do anything for his daughter after that or reflect on his behaviour? Just because you are a parent, it doesn't mean you do everything wrong and that's ok because you love your children. Love isn't something that is felt, it is something that one has to prove with their actions time and time again.

8. Why did we even need the second lead? What did he and his crew, along with the DOS boy group even bring to this drama? His character was too good to be true, and his arc brought nothing to the show. His bromance with the ML didn't feel sincere. Couldn't connect with his relationship with the FL either.

9. Grandma's son turning up at her funeral and acting like a great son who wanted his mother to stay with him when he just left her there and told her to get dentures instead of implants becuase he didn't want to spend a single cent. Sorry but admitting that you are an idiot is not good enough. And Doo Shik being the noble soul he is comforted this guy instead of punching him in the face for the grandma who loved him and supported him all the way. OK I'll accept that as his character.

10. Yet another SK drama that could have been 8-10 episodes, but they stretched it to 16 with episodes that were more than an hour each. SIGHHHHHHH.

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Don't underestimate the importance of a ring :)

HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE MOST WHOLESOME FINALE EVER!
To all those of you wondering about the importance of the ring, please watch till the end!! The finale answers it, and you'll understand it's importance :)

First of all, this was no masterpiece, but strangely, there was nothing about this drama that I disliked. It definitely had it's heart in the right place. There was a sincerity in the script, and the message it wanted to convey about being true to ourselves shined through and through.

The concept was unique, and interesting. The ML loses the ring he was going to use to propose to his girlfriend on the metro, and the ring goes from one person to another, touching many different lives which are covered in short stories, while we see our lead couple re-evaluating their relationship. The little glimpses we got into the lives of the various characters seemed real and heartwarming. The lead couple were believable, and felt like a couple that had lived together. I liked them all, each character, and rooted for them. The acting was decent as well, the soundtrack was nice.

I must admit that before heading into the finale, I thought that this was just a decent watch, and had the potential to be so much more (in terms of the leads) but the finale was PERFECT, because it tied everything together so beautifully, and allowed me to understand the importance of the ring. I dare say I really fell in love with the drama at its finale (a first for me).

Yes, he could have just bought another ring, and proposed but he didn't. It is because that one ring (which was a promise of love) was indispensable. Just like how we can't replace our partner with another person, the little things & objects (like a ring) is as important because they symbolise our feelings, and are ways in which we give value to a relationship & a person. Once lost, it is hard to find it again, which is why we should hold on to it strongly, and appreciate its importance, whether it is a ring or whether it is a person.

I didn't give this a 10 because

(1) I do think it could have been longer. I wanted to see more of the stories (at points it did feel like it was touch & go with the stories) because the concept of 'happily ever after' doesn't exist. There is so much more to a relationship than just telling someone that you love them, or getting together and dating. You also got to put in the work, and make the relationship work, so I wish that was explored more with the various stories

(2) I like that Alan's character wasn't the typical second lead who comes in to incite jealousy, and make the ML realise that he can't let her go, and the FL was also very clear about her feelings and didn't string the 2 of them along (like we always see). So I appreciated that. But, he is the only 1 character in the story that I felt was not needed. He didn't really serve much purpose other than being her ex, and wanting to get back together with her. This ties in with my next point.

(3) I do wish the show explored the couple's 5 year relationship. I like that they gave us glimpses of their world - how they fell in love, how their relationship was like, and some of the problems in their relationship (like he's a clean freak & she tends to make a mess), and I love that they both attempted to adopt each other's lifestyles in that she tried to clean, and he tried to do things that she liked. But I wanted more. The screen space given to Alan's character should have been spent on the leads instead.

I would recommend this to everyone. It's a short, simple, heartwarming drama. I do wish it was longer because I wanted to see more of a lot of the characters. Nonetheless, it doesn't take away from the fact that this was SINCERE and HEARTFELT.

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Short, simple and sweet

There is no real conflict in this drama. It's just a story of 2 lonely individuals who find themselves married through the NEET initiative and build a world of their own together.

Surprisingly, despite how short it is, it doesn't skip much and you can see how the leads gradually fall for each other and become a family.

The side characters, too, are sweet and don't hog unnecessary screen space.

The acting is decent. Nothing to write pages about, but nothing to criticise either. Special mention to the lead actress who is absolutely adorable. No one can dislike her.

Hands down the easiest, least complicated drama I've seen. Warm, fuzzy, soft and yet heartwarming.

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Hit all the right spots emotionally BUT…

A dark, tragic and hauntingly beautiful tale of a man born into darkness (re: abuse and debt) and a ballet dancer born for brightness. She was his sun, prancing about in her glory. The way they were drawn to each other instantly, the way they became each other’s home and the chemistry between both leads (both younger and older) sizzled. It captivated me and had me rooting for them. The ending scene of Episode 9, P2 had me tearing up because I saw the end- they would never be able to walk under the Sun freely and happily again.

I did like the way the story was told, especially in Part2. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t figure out until a lot later whether the FL was possessed or whether she was in cahoots with other women to execute her revenge or was it just mental illness. It came together beautifully, tying the unanswered questions.

Acting was A1, score was great and direction was crisp.

But the writing - that left a bit to be desired. It wasn’t a fail but a little more and this would have been stellar.

My biggest issues with this-

1. The writer did not flesh out the ML’s emotions enough. If not for the actor’s great performance, his character would have fallen flat. Beyond his anguish, heartbreak and anger for not being able to protect her, I wanted to know more about him. Did he kill them just because she told him to or was he harbouring that vendetta for long? I couldn’t tell. How did jail change him as a person? He was very soft and normal around her but then switched into very cold and heartless when murdering. His sense of conflict didnt come across and I was looking forward to that a lot.

2. The FL was a little too nice to be true in Part 1. And in Part2, the way her DID healed was a little half-baked and too easy. It doesn’t work like that. I wanted to know - when did the ML realise that she had DID? Or did he really take her strangling him and blaming him to be what she truly felt? What about the FL? How did she feel about him killing all these men? Given her personality, I expected more turmoil on her side.

3. His mum saying choose a better mum next time didnt surprise me - that was the arc of the character. One who never grew up or take agency till the very end. But what about the FL’s parents? How can they act all hunky dory going to see her concert when they had the power to fight for her, set the narrative right and get justice for her. The ML would not have had to go through all that if not for them. Same wjth the FL. Till the end, she never screamed at her parents for taking the money. It’s a fictional story and they have the liberty to show what they want.. but it didn’t sit well with the general set up of the characters that she didn’t once question her parents.

4. The villains were too one note but I’ll let that slide since this wasn’t their story.


Nonetheless, I still recommend this. It’s quite a decent drama and hit all the right spots especially in the romance department. The ending, though tragic, made this so much more impactful and heartbreaking.

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