emberzmars

Perfect balance of career-focused & noona romance

Noona romance is one of my favourite tropes. Highly recommended for those who want female-led series with balanced stories about their personal and professional lives. Makes me think of (i) ethics - what is right or wrong, (ii) believing in your own principles or just go along with corporate decisions, (iii) dealbreaker in relationships


What I like
1) Writing - this show portrays female characters as strong, capable but flawed (not Mary Sue). Kudos to Kwon Do-eun for writing a brilliant series.
2) Acting - brilliant acting by the cast in particularly Lim Soo Jung & Lee Da Hee,
3) Portrayal of female friendship - how one started while another one disintegrate,
4) The score - Millenial Love was magical upon first listen while Heart Shape on Ankle makes me giddy whenever I listen to it,
5) Park Morgan characterisation - as a music fan and someone who's Ta Mi's age now, I wish I had a boyfriend like him. He was confident, empathetic, supporting
6) Jang Ki Yong & Lee Jae Wook were devilishly good looking
7) What's Wrong with My Mother-in-Law
8) This series makes me think of (i) ethics what is right or wrong, (ii) believing in your own principles or just go along with corporate decisions, (iii) dealbreaker in relationships

What I dislike
1) The conflict between Ta Mi and Morgan - in real life, I wouldn't reconnect because that's a dealbreaker

Favourite scene
When Ta Mi was distracted by Park Morgan's presence in her office. That dialogue is what I imagine a progressive western series would write about. That foreplay is so sexy.

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Live action version of old Harlequin novel

I like reading Harlequin novels once in a while and modern releases are quite refreshing & enjoyable. My Lethal Man is like an adaptation of old Harlequin novels. Full of clichés!

Pros:
1. Pacing - It was good. Despite the clichés, I managed to finish this series within 2 working days.
2. Fan Zhi Xin - Handsome. Gosh his jawline & cheekbones. His acting was ok. He seemed to have fun in behind the scenes.
3. Romance - Plenty make out scenes 😝
4. Supporting male leads - I like them both!

Cons:
1. Male lead characterisation - Domineering, sullen boss type.
2. Female lead characterisation - Damsel in distress type. Needs saving all the time except when hero was recovering from mental breakdown and when she came with plan for necklace. I think those were only times she took charge.
3. Mystery - quite predictable.
4. Li Mo Zhi - She's older than Fan Zhi Xin and it shouldn't matter but for this drama, I think Li Mo Zhi could have soften her facial expressions so conflicts can be expressed better.

Favourite scene
When they made out at the bridge. I like when male lead hugs female lead from behind.

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Best mini drama I have watched!

I am not a fan of Chinese historical dramas but wow A Familiar Stranger blew my mind.

What I like:
1. Well executed story - Only 18 episodes with 15 min each episode but the screenplay was superbly done. No time for unnecessary side plots or filler scenes. The plot twist I did not see coming.
2. Scene framing - Two scenes stood out for me. When General Xiao confronted Shi Qi about the painting - the walk from the room to exterior of the room & contrast between Shi Qi's dress and others so beautiful. Another favourite frame is when all 4 lead characters were at night market. The distance, the warmth just wow me.
3. General Xiao's characterisation - rational & strategic thinker up to his personal matters. Warm, understanding partner. Very rare to see green flag main male character on screen.
4. Acting - all 4 actors with main roles did extremely well. Special mention - Cheng Lei has the right looks & stature as army general. His flirting & smiles are so adorable.
5. Child actor - Yuan Bao had substantial role in this story!
6. Ending - Great, sentimental one.

What I dislike:
1. Second leads' Love story - I find the story of how Shen Qin started to love the Prince is bit confusing.
2. Kisses - Wish Shi Qi did not avoid General Xiao's kissing attempts too much.

Favourite scene:
When General Xiao tended to his wife's wounds. The sexual tension was killing me!

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Interesting cast but unlikeable main characters & soapy storyline

I had high hopes for this drama because I am a fan of Wang Zu Yi and Cheng Cheng and enjoyed Fan Zhi Xin's acting in Be Your Knight. I understand that this drama is an adaptation of a Thai drama - that's why the episode count is high for a mini drama. However after watching 20 episodes and a month long pause, I decided to drop this series.

What I liked:
1. Gao Hao En - His character is the best in the show. He was ML's unofficial therapist! Cheng Cheng was perfect in this role.
2. Visuals - I must admit that He Rui Xian and Fan Zhi Xin made a visually stunning couple.
3. Back stories - I appreciate that writers created back stories for Xu Ming Li and Bai Xia so their characters are more of substance.
4. Support roles - I liked Min Xing Han & Wang Xin - was pleasantly surprised when the latter appeared on screen.

What I disliked:
1. Romance - There was a good sexual tension between FL Xu Nuo & ML Shen Jia. However their on & off relationship is tiresome.
2. FL characterisation - She was interesting at the start because of her plans to secure her position in the company. However she came off like a petulant heiress who made a big fuss when she didn't get things she wanted. She never planned properly & was easily distracted by ML. I couldn't relate to her but there was one time that I sympathised with her.
3. Length - 54 episodes are too many for a mini drama. They should have cutdown on the misunderstanding & communication breakdown.
4. Chi Ye characterisation - As I said earlier, I like Wang Zu Yi very much so I was letdown by his character's arc. The writers could have made him a formidable love rival to ML like Korean drama Boys Over Flowers (Team Yoon Ji Hoo here!) but from the start, Chi Ye was never given a chance. What a wasted potential!

Favourite scene
Whenever Cheng Cheng appeared on screen

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Cool superpower fantasy drama with GOT7’s Park Jinyoung as a baddie

I am a massive fan of GOT7 so when Park Jinyoung announced his involvement in this movie, I was game to watch it with my ahgase friends. We watched on 12 June and my seat no. was G7 ;). Overall I enjoyed this movie.

What I liked:
1. Supernatural power - I liked the idea that supernatural power stem from donated organs. Their powers were cool - I especially liked the magic eyes!
2. Wan Seo characterisation - It's wonderful to see a teenage girl given powers of superstrength & agility. I loved her action scenes.
3. Yoo Ah In - I have read stories of his scandals but never watched his work until this movie came out. I must say that he had great stage presence. I was drawn to his performance even though he had lesser screentime than Ahn Jae Hong.
4. Park Jin Young - Jinyoung teased ahgase about his body at GOT7 NESTFEST Concert in Bangkok. Damn, those abs! Anyway Jinyoung did well as an antagonist even though he didn't have much screentime.
5. Dynamics - There are 2 father-daughter dynamics in this drama: 1) between Wan Seo (protagonist) and her father, and 2) between Yeong Chun (antagonist) and his daughter. Contrasting dynamics that were fascinating.

What I disliked:
1. Antagonist arc - I felt that they could do more with this arc if the running time had been extended. It's fascinating because it is related to cult and its leadership.
2. Screentime - With a big cast, it is hard to give equal screen time to the leading superpowered characters. Nyeo (yoghurt lady)'s power seemed the least useful in the group imho that I still couldn't figure out the relevance / importance of that superpower.

Favourite scene
When the team defeated antagonist

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I enjoyed this series despite its flaws

Never planned to watch Strong Girl Nam-soon but yourdramachingu's clip on YouTube convinced me to give this series a go. I watched Strong Woman Do Bong Soon after this series so I had no expectation of Strong Girl Nam-soon. I see a lot of negative reviews for this series before writing this review. Here are my thoughts.

What I liked:
1) Family - This is the central theme of the show, which sets this series apart from its prequel. The FL had different upbringing because she went missing when she was a child but lucky for her, her adoptive parents were kind people whom raised her well. I also liked that Hwang Geum Joo felt secure of her role as biological mother of Namsoon. That scene when she brought Namsoon's adoptive mother to meet Namsoon was really touching - I cried.
2) The romance - I enjoyed watching the relationship of Namsoon and Kang Hee Shik. They got off the wrong foot the first time they met but later they became allies and eventually lovers. Despite Namsoon's childlike mannerisms at the start of the series, she didn't act like a child or played coy when it comes to romantic relationship. I like her take charge behaviour!
3) Kang Hee Shik - I like his character and as a romantic interest, I am more team Hee Shik. This is my first time watching Ong Seung Wu's drama. I think he did well in his role.
4) Homeless friends - I like both Ji Hyun Soo and Teacher No because of their kindness towards Namsoon when she was struggling in her environment. They also had story arcs.
5) Byeon Woo-seok - His visuals are insane, his high cheekbones and height amazes me. He is very handsome with that styling.
6) Music - I like Itzy's song for this drama.

What I disliked:
1) Comedy - There are too many slapstick comedy scenes in this series. I think this drama would rate better if the writer had focused more on the origin/genetic side of superstrength power in the format of drama rather than the use of the superstrength power in the format of comedy.
2) Characterisation of main female characters - There was so much potential with the developments of side characters such as Hwang Geum Joo, Gil Joong Gan but then they became bland. A lot people were turned off by Namsoon's characteristics which is the writer's fault. Perhaps the writer wanted Namsoon to exhibit similar characteristics as Bong Soon (childlike) but I think this is the wrong move because it led stronger comparisons and harsher comments.
3) Gil Joong Gan's love story - I don't have problem watching a love story of aged individuals. However given that this series focused too much on comedy, the love story of FL's grandma did not add any value to this series. Well other than creating suspicion of that guy's intentions.
4) Hwang Geum Joo - I hate that she fat-shamed her son. It was obvious that she favoured Namsoon because Namsoon was welcomed with open arms. Good thing Kang Nam In didn't harbour any negative feelings towards his twin sister. I also disliked the way Geum Joo treated her husband and brother.
5) Ryu Shi Oh - He's a clear cut baddie from the start but there was too much screen time for his character that people romanticised him. He did not fall in love with Namsoon, he was obsessed with her powers which is a total red flag. He has a fitting ending.

Favourite scene
When Hwang Geum Joo reunited Namsoon and her adoptive mother

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Can't stand narcisstic boss and doormat secretary

There were so many rave reviews about What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. I had never watched Park Seo Joon's dramas so this was my first. I also watched it for Chansung because I liked him in My Holo Love.

I gave up What's Wrong with Secretary Kim after episode 3. If you are looking for boss-secretary romance drama, go watch 'The Secret Life of My Secretary'.

What I liked:
1) Supporting cast - Many wonderful actors and actresses in this drama e.g. Pyo Ye Jin, Kang Ki Young, Chansung, Hwang Bo Ra (she was captivating)

What I dislike:
1) Male lead characterisation - I couldn't stand his narcistic personality and arrogant attitude. So self-absorbed.
2) Female lead characterisation - She was a doormat. I don't understand why was she still in touch with her ex-boss after resignation. If she was required to train new secretary, then she should just handle training and not give in to boss's work demands.
3) Childhood connectrion trope - Why was this trope used when the trio had not even maintained friendship as they grew older?
4) Romance - I feel like Park Minyoung was wrongfully cast for this series. I couldn't see any "romantic sparks" between her and Park Seo Joon.

Favourite scene
The only memorable scene from the 3 episodes that I watched was the sports day.

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