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Wrote an early review and now finished. Wow. There is no better slice of life drama out there.
Update: Finished the entire series. The acting in this entire drama is absolutely incredible. btw, Park Ji Hwan slays it in ep 8. This is a phenomenal slice of life show. Every story is riveting.First impression:
I loved the first 3 episodes, especially the 3rd episode. The flashback scenes are so awesome. I can't wait to see each new episode. Epic veteran screenwriter No Hee-Kyung has done it again. It's truly a beautiful and heartfelt drama. It may not be everyone's cup of tea but for someone who usually gets bored with a slice of life dramas, I look forward to every episode.
In a nutshell, I agree with Lee Byung-hun when his statement concerning this drama:
“People say, every soul has a scar. This drama shows those scars. Living life itself means trying to forget those scars, and trying to overcome those scars... People with wounds and how they overcome those scars will be manifested in the drama in a touching way and impart hope to the viewers,” Lee Byung-hun (role Dong-Seok).
I'm older and I have flashbacks of my life (good and bad), and watching this drama just gives me butterflies. I highly recommend this series for those of you who cherish your first crush, who has seen financial hardship, or anything in between. Already, I can see it as a truly memorable drama that many of us can relate to.
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This review may contain spoilers
Bright Time: A Heartfelt Journey of Friendship and Self-Discovery
Finished! What a beautiful drama about coming of age and building a close-knit, lifelong friendship. It centers on the lives of two boys, Lan Jing Hui and Ling Dong, highlighting the challenges they face, the misunderstandings they navigate, and how they ultimately rebuild their bond. The drama delves into family relationships, academic pressure and stress, the complexities of friendship, and the journey toward self-discovery, providing a more nuanced story than typical high school dramas. The performances were exceptionally well-acted, adding depth and authenticity to the characters. I think it is a story that will resonate with many, offering a refreshing take on the familiar themes of adolescence.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Still trying to watch this... (updated after completing it)
Ongoing review (See final update after completing it at the end):It is overrated here. This does not compare to other good romcoms and definitely doesn't compare to Love Like the Galaxy or even Who Rules the World. I have watched up to ep 15 and it is below par with the top Chinese romcoms dramas. I like Lu Si and I have seen most of her dramas but her acting as a 17-year-old made me cringe, by skipping like a child in one scene, and constantly hugging a stuffed animal... Etc. which is appropriate for maybe a 12-year-old. The grade school SZ was more mature (played by Zhang Xi Wei who did absolutely wonderful, by the way). After episode 1, I was really looking forward to her character growth but it actually goes backward. Their actions and banter are still like 14 or 15-year-olds even in episode 15. It has been the same type of interaction. It is repetitive. Episodes 12 and 13 gave me hope to show some depth but it fell back to the same pattern in 14 and now 15. The best part about this drama is her interaction with her brother and their relationship but those scenes are far and few between.
It is extremely slow and uneventful for the majority of the episodes with most of the drama just interactions between the two leads. I am still sticking with it but I find myself struggling to keep interested because the script is way too simplistic with no wit, no humor, and no memorable lines... Etc. and pretty unrealistic for college-level romance. It feels tedious. I will update this review if I change my mind.
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Final Update: Even at Ep 17 there was still the same type of dialog "Do you really have no feelings for me?" "Maybe just a little bit." >.< There are countless scenes throughout this drama of making a big deal about this age gap of him being "old". Not sure why the director/writer emphasized it as much as they did. Again, I think the show should've had far more scenes with the brother and their relationship instead of the slowing moving repetitive interaction between the leads. It's cute and all but 25 episodes of that was just far too slow and tedious for me. I think most people would be far better off spending time watching the modern drama Reset, or if you are into romcoms Meet Yourself, The Love You Give Me, The Day of Becoming You, Skate to Love, and more. If you like costume dramas, then there are plenty that are worth your time.
Final words: Having said that, If you like this type of drama then try it. Everyone is different. For me, I just didn't care for it. Too simplistic for my taste. As I said, the best part is episode 1 with the child actress and the rare parts with the older brother. But then it goes downhill. I favor Wuxia like Nirvana in Fire, The Untamed, and Joy of Life (so I may not be the best judge for this type of drama) but I do enjoy romcoms from time to time but there has to be some comedy, and memorable lines, or wit, and more depth for me to really embrace it.
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So frickin good
Going in with the expectation of a good thriller, I was absolutely delighted by the film’s execution that soared beyond mere goodness to me. As an admirer of both Talu Wang and Ethan Juan, my anticipation for this film was already high, and it did not disappoint me. The film transcends the typical action genre, offering a fresh narrative style and a unique cast of characters that set it apart. It's not one of those action films that you can neatly categorize who is good and who is bad. The lines between heroes and villains are blurred. It does demands patience, but rest assured, the final third of the movie rewards you with a satisfying clarity. This isn’t just a thriller teeming with awesome action and combat; it’s a cinematic experience that weaves in a tapestry of emotions, resonating deeply with the viewer.I’m thrilled about the idea of watching this film with those dear to me who have an appreciation for this genre. I’m excited to enjoy and discuss it with them. I don't think they will be disappointed and hoping you won't either. ^^
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