KingC

Find Yourself.

Another very complicated drama to rate as usual from JDoramaland. If it was me, I'd suggest Shinobu-san to never ever get married – so that then all this pain, and in short the drama itself, wouldn't exist.

When an aspiring manga artist meets a man 12 years her senior, she is caught in a whirlwind romance, culminating in their marriage and a child, Yuta. (Yuta didn't deserve any of this lunacy; I'm glad he reacted the way he did by the end of the show and he kept me curious.)
Now, 15 years later, with her desire to draw what she wants clashing with the public's demand, she once again begins to revisit her passion; now hiring the help of a 22-year-old young man named Tachibana Chiaki, who seems to have ulterior motives towards her.

However, we soon learn that Shinobu's entire happiness was a façade; particularly when Chiaki begins to confront and reveal his own demons.

☆ As I can find no fault with the actors, who excellently portrayed such characters, I'll dive straight into them.

Starting with Shinobu-San and even Chiaki, nobody in this drama is technically a nice guy. All of them had been shaped by their past traumas and tragedies, molding themselves into versions that were either terrible for their future (Shinobu-san) or for the better (Chiaki).
I can tell that the men in Shinobu-San's life (the adults, including the editor) were some of the worst individuals. The editor practically lost all brownie points from my side when he began to seemingly try to bring his fantasy to reality, even if it meant cornering Shinobu-san or overlooking what was best for her.

As for her husband? Chiaki was a pivotal moment in her life, particularly at the end of episode 3, where he openly calls her out for her trying to protect her marriage even if it meant that she was tolerating an insufferable man who had ruined lives, all for the sake of staying safe.

--- There was something about how people succumb to their darkness/harsh reality of life depicted in a rather strange way. Their actions can not be justified, but it gave a sense of 'life' to the characters; may it be Chiaki's mom or even Shinobu-San's husband.

☆ Final Thoughts? This is definitely not for everyone; an understanding of how the brain worked for certain characters is important and difficult to convey through the screen. Also, the overall theme has infidelity as the impetus for the FL, Shinobu-san, and it's hard to digest.
But, as a bizarre JDrama? Yes, you can give it a try.

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Simple, Yet Intense.

I just completed this around a year after starting it, and I have to say, I probably would've rated this much lower had I finished it back then. Keeping it aside for a while managed to bring about a gap in understanding the characters’ actions. (I had stopped at EP8.)

When a humble stuntman named Joe accidentally encounters Ming, the brother-in-law of the famous actor, Tong, whom he performs for, sparks fly instantly.
Unbeknownst to him, Ming is secretly disgruntled and upset about being inadvertently ignored by Tong, whom he had a crush on. He takes the chance to bait the easy going Joe as a distraction and soon strikes up an ambiguous relationship with him. However, the lonely Joe's life is brightened by his presence and he falls deeply for Ming. Things turn dark when the truth is out and Joe is cornered and forced to pay with his life.

He wakes up in the body of another man named Joe, who had had an accident the same time as him. Now, with a new body and an ailing mother to take care of, Joe decides to start over his life and quietly assumes the identity of the body's owner. However, Ming once again re-enters his life.

☆ My Thoughts:

I remember several discourses going on in the comment section of the drama while it was still on air. Particularly of the ‘red flag’ and the characterization of Ming.
He might also be a difficult character to portray as he doesn't really talk much at all – always bottling up his frustrations and hiding behind a wall. Which is why most of his actions (some which he did purely due to his confidence in the power of money, a “very strong” theme which is scattered all over the show) come off as almost sociopathic.

While it might not be clear to some viewers, it's evident that he was using Joe as a distraction from sadness right from their second meeting. The trouble was, Joe was too humble minded and open hearted to see this. To him, Ming was someone who would return home to him; wait for him at home, cook for him and abate his loneliness.

For a guy who could get anything with a snap of his fingers, Ming doesn't realise the damage he was doing to someone like Joe.

Which is why, him going after Joe a second time annoyed me to no end.
Mr. Pinky aka Sol was right in several instances. Though, I have to say his care for Joe stemmed more from regret rather than actual emotions, I am glad that he was literally the only level headed character who could meet Ming head on.

Both the leading actors were really,really good. Like… I could find no chinks in their armour. The production value for this show seems to be rather high. So, I guess that this was a serious project. Also, Ming's wardrobe was particularly noteworthy. Heck, some of his outfits didn't even look as if they'd be considered normal outside of the runway (that pyjama style set), but he managed to pull it off.
The lighting and camera work were apt and not overdone. The aesthetics were also pleasant so, it was easy on the eyes without going overboard.

I particularly liked how the relationship between families was portrayed. And how important it was to their relationship. Though, I have to say, Ming didn't get punished enough for his thoughtless actions.

Also, the theme of the power of money and how people are ultimately forced to bow to it. This is a sad reality of life. Joe and his coworkers would always be underlings to the mighty and rich. It reminded me of the recently released movie where the main message was how the main character was ultimately not respected even as a basic human.
For example, there is one character in particular who got off scott free. But, it was going to eventually happen anyways.

☆ Final Thoughts:
I wouldn't call this drama a master-piece or something out of the box. The story is very simple and straightforward, but the conflicting emotions it manages to bring about is definitely something. So, kudos to the writers for that. Also, the cast and crew has put in A LOT of effort to bring their vision to life, so this is a must-watch if you are looking for something simple, yet intense.

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Mindless Fluff.

‘Suspension of disbelief’ is a strong factor required to watch this drama – and once you've done it, this is quite enjoyable despite it having an absurd story.

A hotel heiress, Jin Zhi Xia, travels abroad and stumbles upon a soothing musician, Lin, whom she immediately falls for. She tells him about enjoying life as if there was no tomorrow and this is exactly what she does – throw herself into apparently a week/month old relationship which comes to and ugly end. The man in question disappears before she can find out her answers.
After an year of fruitless search, she finds him again as a completely new Fu Ze Yi, who has no memories about their encounter. What's more? He was a ruthless opponent who was attempting to buy her hotel, Aizhe, to expand his company.

The Characters:
Together with her cousin, Jin Bu Fan, and her uncle, the trio were some of the most hilarious characters I've seen in such an idol drama. Not only where they the least brightest individuals in the room, they were also comedic and innocent at the most unexpected times. [Someone commended on YT that the drama should be retitled as ‘three idiots run a hotel’, and the more I watched, the more I began to see why one would think so. Both the uncle and Zhi Xia kept making mistake after mistake, possibly because they underestimated who they were dealing with.]

EP12's hospital scene will always be memorable to me due to the sheer hilarity of the situation coupled with the neat acting. Joey Chua was really good.
Though not exactly the best, I have to give credits to the actor who played Fu Ze Yi and Lin - his eyes somehow appeared soft as Lin, and sharper as Fu Ze Yi .

Bonus points to this drama for making me look up Dissociative Identity Disorder – I've heard about it since long, but it turns out that some of the depictions, though over the top, where definitely in line with it. [Conversations with alternate identity, temporary amnesia, etc.]

All in all, a small cookie that can be eaten as a snack. Not deep, just pure entertainment.

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Awesome characters... on a high-speed rail.

Not going to lie, this one deserves an 8.5/10 for the first six episodes and a 5/10 for the last two episodes.
Also, it ends in the blink of an eye. It's like they mashed together clips of the whole thing, particularly the last two episodes. I don't know whether to be upset or angry. The actors were good, the premise was good and it had plenty of potential to be one of the better short dramas out there. And to an extent, it is.

This is the one time I truly wished that a drama had a longer run time. Or a second season even. (If it's an 8 episode series, it needs at least 20 minutes per episode. Or 10 episodes, if it's going to be 15 minutes each.)

So… what do I think? Take off the "BL spectacles" and view it objectively as a simple story between two childhood friends, Han Joon and Yoo Jae. However, their bond becomes uncertain when Han Joon starts to realize his feelings for Yoo Jae. Moreover, the struggles of their families puts a further strain on their lives.

The characters and the performance by the cast is what carries the whole 8 episodes. Kudos to them for managing to bring so much depth and emotions to life while being handed like… half the story?
There is so much angst in this one that I decided that the 'best friends to lovers' trope is one of the worst out there. (This one has a particularly noteworthy confession scene.) But, it gives a strange satisfaction when beautifully portrayed. It was stressful to see both Han Joon and Yoo Jae keep trying to keep their friendship alive.

I'm surprised by both the leads. Kim In Sung could really make the viewers feel 'broken'.
While Yoo Jae is getting pummeled by the majority of the viewers, I liked that guy. While Han Joon was more emotionally receptive, Yoo Jae struggled to express his emotions.
I've not looked much into the idol group SF9, but I did not realize how popular they were until Star Struck. Baek Zu Ho can definitely act.

Their chemistry was not bad at all. But, as the concept of time isn't conveyed well, it can appear off putting to many.

The characters needed time: they were not just dealing with their feelings, but also had troubles with their families. This was one part that was well paced in the first few episodes, but got thrown into the bin during the last two. Not that it was bad, but it was all too sudden. Han Joon with his mom and Yoo Jae with his parents.

Another thing? The timeline. The first four episodes took place over a span of four months. The next two focused on their college. The last two took place in about three months. (That's three months in twenty minutes, I tell you.)

On a side note, I never cared about kisses ever since I watched the Taiwanese movie Our Times (2015) and that had literally no physical interaction between the leads, but was just sweet. So, I forgive the directors because the rest of their interactions were gold.

The bad stuff is definitely the runtime which impedes a better written script. I also suspect that they cut off a few remaining bits too. Also, I'll never look at Ferrero Rocher the same way again.

Am I disappointed? Yes, badly. The slew of well plotted short dramas with a longer runtime or more episodes with a tight plot might've made viewers expect better from 'Star Struck'. I'll rate this a generous 5.5/10. Han Joon, Yoo Jae and even those smaller supporting characters are too sweet to not be given a second chance by anyone who stumbles across this review.

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Pleasant Office Drama With Lovable Characters.

This is one of those regular office romance dramas along with a lot of cuteness and stupidity thrown in the same plate. However, I immensely enjoyed this and its definitely one of the better short series out there. I'm not talking from the "BL" point of view. Rather from a regular drama objective.

When the spoilt heir of a famous company, Ho Joon, is forced to rely upon himself after causing troubles for his father, he has no options but to do as told. His stupid persistence and narcissism irks his new landlord, Seo Jae Yoon. However, Jae Yoon finds himself in a difficult situation when he finds out that the tenant whom he was trying to evict is his newly appointed Team Leader.

The runtime (more than 25 or 30 minutes for some episodes) and storyline was adequate enough to portray the emotional growth between the characters and how both of them slowly begin to understand their positives and the short comings. I was pleasantly surprised by the leading actors' performance here since in their last drama, their characters were not as voluble (particularly Kim Ji Woong, he was a delight to watch in this one).
The chemistry was natural and I particularly liked how everyone were just 'patient'. None of them were annoying or over the top. Both Ho Joon and Jae Yoon were intelligent in their own ways.
Nothing was rushed. And some scenes were genuinely comedic without trying too hard. One thing I will definitely not forget is when Ho Joon went, "How come he becomes stupid in Poongdeok Villa?" And then we have Jae Yoon skeptically ask in the next episode, "Are you a genius?"

I don't think I'll feel the same or whether I'll be able to rewatch it, but it's a satisfying watch, provided that you view it as a regular KDrama and not purposefully keep expectations.

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I Don't Even Know What to Title This As.

I really have to revamp my whole rating list when it comes to shorter dramas, because this one was good and bad at the same time. Good? The premise was good. The cast was good. All the emotions were conveyed well.
The story? Oh dear, the story. It seems that the writers even directed this one specifically for that *horns and balloons* ending.
For a story to have emotional depth, the run time matters. Here, we dive head first into something, watch the leads' relationship grow, then get thrown into something else. And I still have no idea what the significance of that character was. He existed for the angst. Minus him from the story and there is still no change to the overall plot.
I would recommend this to anyone who is trying to finish their 52 Week Watch Challenge, but are short on free time. As for others... if you are expecting some mind blowing storytelling, this ain't it. But, it does have good emotional performances by the cast that is unfortunately stunted by the limited runtime.

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Mundane, but Good.

This is more of a the life story of two divorce lawyers who've gone through thick and think together their whole lives.
What's good about it? The leads definitely. Their characters are just the opposite of each other, but their genuine care and understanding for another was excellently portrayed. (I've yet to see a Taiwanese series with mediocre actors. These two were really good.)
There are several scenes where they talk about how they view their profession and divorce which I found enlightening.
The second couple was Yuki, a laundromat owner whose name I still do not know and his daughter Ling Ling. They depicted a different side of life - one of them being cool and unafraid of changes while the other adamantly sticks to the ghosts of the past.
Plenty of supporting characters, both big and insignificant play a role in shaping their actions, so, skipping some parts of it might be not the best idea. (I did it and had yo backtrack and rewatch to know thr context.)
While I did like the couples, the cases and the parental relationships, there were episodes which could've been significantly shorter. Mind you, this is roughly 25minutes each, but the episodes following EP7 where unfortunately, a bit too... ad nauseam? This is a common problem in dramas as a whole, LGBTQ+ or not. Once the main point is done, they fumble around. But, the pacing did pick up, but the drama lost me at EPs 8 - 10.
I'd recommed this if you just need something to cool off.

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Memorable.

Only half an hour, but it was succinctly utilized and on point. I have no knowledge about the original novel and have never watched any adaptations.
For a clip that was released as a part of a variety show, it had more impact than many billion dramas that China releases every year.
It has an overall simple production, and I've come to slowly recognize the directing style . The cast did an excellent job, particularly the two male leads as it was between them the game of 'throw-the-ball' was fought. The Female lead was good to, but as the story centered around her without her being aware of anything happening, she had only a few emotional moments.

The ending is what I find truly unforgettable. I paused for a moment and it made me confused. What or who exactly was the demon after? Why was he so cruel?
Definitely a must watch if you just need an escape from reality.

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100% Fun.

If you are craving for something "funny", then this movie is perfect for you. I literally paused it at certain parts cause I was unable to control laughing.
I began this after seeing that this movie had the same director as "Oh no! Here Comes Trouble", which had the perfect mix of mystery, bromance and comedy.
Secrets of The Hotspring gives you the exact same vibes, though it leans more towards comedy.

Xiao Gin, a delinquent new student, takes his two "frenemies" to his grandparents' "hotel". Things start to take an ugly turn when both his friends Little Princess and the sleep walking Lu Qun find out that something was very strange in their new getaway. And Gin's grandparents seems to be mysteriously hiding something...

The comedy is what I remember the most out of this, but it does have its share of emotional scenes, particularly for Xiao Gin.
The story is really cliched, but the performance of the actors and its hilarity makes up for it. The bromance between the three is to really cute and I loved watching them grow reluctantly closer.
7.5/10. I knocked off the score due to its predictability, but other than that, this was worth my time.

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If Melancholy was Personified.

The premise and the hear says about this drama were not often favourable, but I gave a wild shot at this one, clearly knowing what kind of vibes I was getting into. And boy, it does not disappoint.
Don't be repelled by the age-gap tag because there is absolutely no importance of the ages of the characters.
Sachi, a 14-year-old high school girl, is seemingly kidnapped by her own choice by a mysterious Onii-San, a blonde haired masked youth who has secrets of his own. A full blown search for the kid begins, but the detectives begin to suspect that something more was in their hands. ..

Slowly, we watch the events, both the past and the present unfold through the characters' eyes. Why is Sachi willing to get kidnapped? Why did Onii-San choose to do it? What lies ahead for them?
Throw in a few interesting characters and I was invested.

This is not a romance if that's what you came for. Sachi has a fair share of traumatic events that could possibly trigger viewers, so be warned.

At the end of the day, I really liked this drama. The story itself might look like a muddled mess, but as I am a huge fan of analyzing personalities, none of the actions done by the main characters seemed weird or wrong. I particularly loved the head detective, even if he had a total screentime of roughly 20 minutes.
And the OST Flow by Neiro is now stuck in my head.
A really melancholic and intriguing drama. It's short, but 100% worth a try.

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A Slice of Lifey Production for a Better Day.

It took me two months to complete it, but what made this unique was that I hadn't forgotten about the characters.
Sakura and Yuma had a strange comforting effect on me and watching them go through dilemmas was interesting.
The story begins with Sakura, whom we soon learn, has unrequited feelings for his long time best friend, the playful Yuma.
I loved Sakura's courage; I wouldn't have the guts to face the person I like if I was him.
I loved Yuma and his interactions, particularly during the scene where they had gone camping with Riko and Norio.
Norio and Riko along with the Homeroom and Music teacher duo had their own storylines that somehow did not seem out of place or odd.
All in all, it's a quick easy watch to get you in a better mood.

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What would you do if you lost your heart far away from home?

Life on Mars is one of the most well-written and highly satisfying dramas I've ever watched. It was an excellent concoction of mystery, suspense, thrill, romance, bromance, friendships and life.

Han Tae Joo, a forensic detective, is a stickler for rules. His unflinching adherence to the law and cold demeanour had earned him praise among his colleagues. But, when a serial killer is set free after failing to provide relevant evidence, Tae Joo's life takes a turn. What's more? The killer, Kim Min Seok claims to have known him. While on a chase for him, Han Tae Joo is shot at and hit by a car. Waking up, he finds himself transported back to the year 1988… in a small police station and Inguk.
Having to make do with the very little technological advancement and rather crude methods of his new Captain and his colleagues, Han Tae Joo struggles to wake up from his dream… or is it all just a dream?

Han Tae Joo is one curious character. At first sight, he was as interesting as a cardboard with little to no reaction during several crucial moments. It is after he is hurled into 1988 that we get to see him alive and living his life to the fullest. His character growth and choices are the major turning points of this drama, which vaguely reminded me of Signal (2016). It is evident from the initial episodes that he is stuck in a state of coma from which he is unable to get up. Whether he would pull himself up from it or whether he'd 'die solving old cases' was an important question that hovered over the viewers mind.

Seeing the blossoming friendship between Captain Kang, Nom Shik, Young Pil, and Yoon Na Young was heartwarming. The pacing was just right enough for me to find their growth natural and realistic.

The cases were surprisingly interlinked with the past and the future. I have to give it to the Violent Crime unit for solving it with intuition and skills. The 'domestic' approach to investigations was a wake-up call for Han Tae Joo and I loved watching him stumble. (He is, like everyone, a flawed character.)

By the end of certain episodes, I wished that he did not have to go back to 2018. The present, unfortunately, seemed procedural and artificial.
The Sci-Fi aspect is not strong and I understood why several questions remained unanswered. I for one, found the rather bleak ending highly satisfying.

Sometimes it's worth feeling with our whole heart. And I'm sure that Inguk Police Station Violent Crimes Unit agrees with me too.

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A Disney Delight.

I'm not jesting with the title. This drama strongly reminded me of a Disney movie. If it wasn't for Park Dong Ju, the entire drama would completely lose any sense of seriousness.

Don't get me wrong. The drama as a whole is a treat. We have Dae Woong, a spoilt jock, who runs away after his grandfather threatens to send him off to military school. While seeking shelter from the rain at temple, a gumiho tricks him into setting her free. Grateful for his help, she heals him off his injuries using her fox bead after he tumbles down a hill.
A shocked Dae Woong finds himself followed by the supernatural creature, whom he nicknames Gu Mi Ho. Unbeknowest to him, Park Dong Ju spins a plan of his own to get the gumiho back to her own realm.

I have to give it to the cast -- everyone where portrayed to a tee. I don't know who is styled Dae Woong, but he had the worst hairstyle in this drama. Or was it a trend in older KDramas?
I loved every single character, including minor ones like Byung Soon, Dae Woong's best friend. I loved the little friendships and relationships in this one. Gu Mi Ho and Dae Woong are the paradigm of innocent romance. It was funny, heartwarming, sometimes cringey, but endearing.
Gu Mi Ho was absolutely adorable. I've seen Shin Min Ah in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, but had to drop it as it did not interest me much. Also, shoutout to the Director and Aunty Min Sook for being the comic relief. Episode 4 with the wall scene will always be a memorable one. The villain, Park Dong Ju, was a well played character. He would've had my support, if he hadn't been stuck deep in his own prejudices.

The drama dragged unnecessarily after EP8 or so. Which is why this lost it's chance to score a solid 8. But, I can see why this is appealing to many out there. You don't get much stress free minus all the angsty dramas out there anymore.

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What happens when your heart rules you.

I have very mixed feelings for this short drama. The actors were excellent and the sets, costumes and scenary where all excellent.

The story, however, just did not do the trick for me. All I could think about was how so many tears could have been saved, had the leading guy confessed about the situation he was stuck in right from the very beginning. It would've stopped the female lead from having her heart terribly broken.

I do feel sympathetic to Kim Soo Sun, whose life was delineated by his father. I could see why he made certain questionable choices when it came to Yu Soo San.
And also, this is the first time I'm seeing a piece of entertainment which fiercely depicted the cruelty of the Japanese. It was blood curdling and disturbing. A huge respect for everyone who dared to stand up to them!
Well. It was a pleasant watch, but definitely not something that I'd rewatch.

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This would've worked out better as a full fledged movie.
The story was an actually excellent one involving very wuxiaish tropes. From what I observed, it follows of a young disciple whose parents are killed off by a mysterious cultivator. She is adopted by her 'Shifu' for whom she develops ardent feelings for.
I loved the soundtrack used for the short film. It can be called a rather short music video rather than a film. Some of the actors were unconvincing and this seems to be an independant creation. I appreciate the efforts that they took. It was all over in the blink of an eye.

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