I think that Keng has a severe case of obsession and inferiority. This would actually make more sense that Keng…
Thanks for posting this theory. This is an interpretation of the ending that I like, that makes sense to me & is possibly the only "happy ending" possible for Shin.
1. Phenomenal performance by the two leads. And the story was just right - everything on point. My heart broke for Shin & everything he lost. His time, his sanity, his health & so much more, and proud of him for his resilience. For anyone debating whether they should watch this, I recommend you don't shy away from it's heavy subject & the realistic manner in which it is handled. However, a TW: rape is necessary - avoid it, if need be.
2. I imagine The Effect is rated only a 7.7 because it is not a cheerful, happy romance BL. For instance, I enjoyed Addicted, but in terms of how the show handles somewhat similar (though to a lesser extent) subject matter, this should definitely be rated higher.
3. Can this really be called a BL? Keng is clearly gay but Shin is not. He does admit sexuality is fluid and then says, "who knows, someday I might like men too". Clearly meaning he does not like men. Later, before the rape, he clearly and unambiguously turns Keng down. I think the most that can be said is that if Keng had continued to be the kind senior, maybe Shin, with his open mind, would have come to accept his love in some form, but as it stands, with everything that went down, there was no "love" in this show. It's a drama, a beautiful, cruel and tragic one, but a regular drama, not a BL.
NuanNuan is officially one of my favorite heroines ever. I never really warmed up to Han Che, but since she loves him, I can root for them as a couple. Gu Li & Han Xue were cute too. Recommended watch for something light!
Is it better to have loved and suffered, than to have never loved at all? That's the question I'm left with, along with a deep heartache.
I didn't like the ending, but I think its for the best. Everyone - especially our three leads Huang Yu Xian, Li Zi Wei & Mo Jun Jie suffered so much because of the time loop - that it is probably good all of it was erased & Yu Xian & Zi Wei have a chance to meet as normal people, albeit with an age gap, in the future.
I want a sequel to this that I'd pay to watch: Li Zi Wei studied design in Canada & is now a popular designer working in North America. Yu Xian is at her present job, except in 2017, with nothing holding her back, she moved to Shanghai. In this story, Li Zi Wei goes to Shanghai for a project led by Yu Xian & her team, and that's how they meet. He's obviously struck by her similarity to his old friend's high school crush, and hijinks ensure. Would also like it if at some point, they could remember how much they loved one another - as if in a dream.
I'd watch this sequel. Or any other sequel. Please give me a happy ending - one in which they remember how much they loved one another, but without having gone through all this suffering.. What an awesome show. I think the last few episodes left me with mild anxiety.
Definitely worth it. I'd say the only things to look out for are that it's a slice of life & seems to have a relatively low budget (or everything was spent on archery equipment & training) - but if you like slice of life & lower production values aren't a concern, it's definitely worth checking out.
To present a counter point to many of the comments here, I understand why the female lead seems selfish - what her parents did was truly strange and she desperately needs to know she is loved. This is addressed a little later in the show, and forms part of her character arc. It's very nicely done. Similarly Xu Fang isn't your usual, cocky, arrogant male lead - but a pretty humble, down to earth guy. He's probably become one of my all time favorite male leads. Well worth the watch.
Really want to thank you for writing this review - I was going to skip this drama until I read what you'd written & it's very quickly shot up to become one of my all time favorites. I even like the aspects that you suggest viewers may not like. Truly a beautiful show.
I may get a lot of hate for this but I wanted to add my thoughts as a non-American. Frankly your comment makes…
I can't help but disagree with you. Demanding gratitude is entitlement. That "South" Korea exists is thanks to the role of the US & Russia, playing their politics on Korean soil.
I think people are upset because the drama challenges the dominant idea of the US being the savior. Would you still call it propaganda and ideology if the drama was pro-US and anti-China? I think most commentators would accept it because that's what most English speaking people are used to thinking.
This type of discomfort is exactly what we see when a minority way of thinking challenges the majority. Whether it people of color challenging white superiority (guess what this drama's ep 1 seems to be doing), the LGBTQIA movement challenging heteronormativity, feminism challenging patriarchy. It's a new way of thinking, people aren't used to it and therefore they consider it uncomfortable propaganda.
Another commentator here contextualizes the discussion by using a scene from a drama. Certainly doesn't look like propaganda to me, just a different pov than the rosy one American audiences are used to seeing.
I may get a lot of hate for this but I wanted to add my thoughts as a non-American. Frankly your comment makes…
Thanks for this little detail egads. Referring to an actual scene in the drama helps contextualize these discussions. I wrote a soft comment earlier since I haven't yet watched the drama, and if I had, I may have been more forthright. Not nearly as polite as you, haha. I'll check out episode 1 with this in mind. :)
I have just watched the first episode and I’m sorry to say this, but it has been a disappointment.Other commenters…
I may get a lot of hate for this but I wanted to add my thoughts as a non-American. Frankly your comment makes me more interested in the drama, as it sounds like it deviates from the dominant narrative/American propaganda that the US is some sort of savior. A very rare drama, then.
"Gratitude is a human virtue that some seem to lack." This is a sense of entitlement, plain and simple. The US is often a bully and a thug in other parts of the world. Such behavior is not limited to China or Russia as the US insists, but is seen with all global superpowers. It is also seen with regional superpowers - India, Egypt, etc. I'm Indian for the record, and understand that our immediate neighbors see the country as bully. The US is no different.
I sincerely feel that those who do not have failed to see the obvious: The true villains here are those who sexually abuse and harass others, not Ma Yi Deum. Nobody expects good behavior from the villain, but less-than-perfect heroes (particularly when female) invite much criticism.
You're hating on her but you seem to be forgetting that she's a prosecutor and its her job to reveal the truth.…
Yup. As a lawyer myself, I agree with Ma Yi Deum when she says she's a prosecutor and not a lawyer. A prosecutor represents the state, not the victim, in a criminal suit - and her job is to put the offender away where he/she cannot harm others and/or will be punished. It may seem harsh but the victim cannot demand that crucial facts be concealed - only that the proceedings be held in camera (be kept private), which was indeed discussed.
ep 11 wasnt that good, they kinda just dragged it. not expecting much from ep 12. Hoping for the best of ep 13…
ep 11 showed that the King is not so easy to reach - it was a failure they learnt from. Ep 12 showed them using what they'd learnt, and it looks like its bearing fruit. I'd say the show is moving quite fast.
1. Phenomenal performance by the two leads. And the story was just right - everything on point. My heart broke for Shin & everything he lost. His time, his sanity, his health & so much more, and proud of him for his resilience. For anyone debating whether they should watch this, I recommend you don't shy away from it's heavy subject & the realistic manner in which it is handled. However, a TW: rape is necessary - avoid it, if need be.
2. I imagine The Effect is rated only a 7.7 because it is not a cheerful, happy romance BL. For instance, I enjoyed Addicted, but in terms of how the show handles somewhat similar (though to a lesser extent) subject matter, this should definitely be rated higher.
3. Can this really be called a BL? Keng is clearly gay but Shin is not. He does admit sexuality is fluid and then says, "who knows, someday I might like men too". Clearly meaning he does not like men. Later, before the rape, he clearly and unambiguously turns Keng down. I think the most that can be said is that if Keng had continued to be the kind senior, maybe Shin, with his open mind, would have come to accept his love in some form, but as it stands, with everything that went down, there was no "love" in this show. It's a drama, a beautiful, cruel and tragic one, but a regular drama, not a BL.
I didn't like the ending, but I think its for the best. Everyone - especially our three leads Huang Yu Xian, Li Zi Wei & Mo Jun Jie suffered so much because of the time loop - that it is probably good all of it was erased & Yu Xian & Zi Wei have a chance to meet as normal people, albeit with an age gap, in the future.
I want a sequel to this that I'd pay to watch: Li Zi Wei studied design in Canada & is now a popular designer working in North America. Yu Xian is at her present job, except in 2017, with nothing holding her back, she moved to Shanghai. In this story, Li Zi Wei goes to Shanghai for a project led by Yu Xian & her team, and that's how they meet. He's obviously struck by her similarity to his old friend's high school crush, and hijinks ensure. Would also like it if at some point, they could remember how much they loved one another - as if in a dream.
I'd watch this sequel. Or any other sequel. Please give me a happy ending - one in which they remember how much they loved one another, but without having gone through all this suffering.. What an awesome show. I think the last few episodes left me with mild anxiety.
I think people are upset because the drama challenges the dominant idea of the US being the savior. Would you still call it propaganda and ideology if the drama was pro-US and anti-China? I think most commentators would accept it because that's what most English speaking people are used to thinking.
This type of discomfort is exactly what we see when a minority way of thinking challenges the majority. Whether it people of color challenging white superiority (guess what this drama's ep 1 seems to be doing), the LGBTQIA movement challenging heteronormativity, feminism challenging patriarchy. It's a new way of thinking, people aren't used to it and therefore they consider it uncomfortable propaganda.
Another commentator here contextualizes the discussion by using a scene from a drama. Certainly doesn't look like propaganda to me, just a different pov than the rosy one American audiences are used to seeing.
"Gratitude is a human virtue that some seem to lack." This is a sense of entitlement, plain and simple. The US is often a bully and a thug in other parts of the world. Such behavior is not limited to China or Russia as the US insists, but is seen with all global superpowers. It is also seen with regional superpowers - India, Egypt, etc. I'm Indian for the record, and understand that our immediate neighbors see the country as bully. The US is no different.